Construction National Summer 2014

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS Greening our grey infrastructure Our front cover features the green roof at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, installed by Blackdown. It has boosted the building's green credentials and is one of a number of such projects covered in this issue as we examine the contributions made by both green roofs and living walls towards the development of our urban landscape. read more from p14

5 Constructive Comment NEWS 7 7 8 8 9 9 10

Bumper public sector pipeline Crossrail tunnellers turn TV stars Quarry passes landmark Expert backs infrastructure initiative Pride in the Job winners announced Join the toilet revolution Dependable anti-theft tracking

VIEWPOINT 11 CDM 2014 – a recipe for disaster FINANCE 12 How to beat the cashflow squeeze

THE GREEN AGENDA 13 Greenbuild Expo review LIVING 14 15 16 17

WALLS AND GREEN ROOFS Greening our grey infrastructure The SSE Hydro’s green roof The case for green roofs Green roofs promote biodiversity

RENEWABLE HEAT 18 We’re getting all pumped up 19 Stately home gets heat pumps 19 NT helps turn the tide 20 New system offers solar solution 21 Maximising return on investment 22 Industry honours its stalwarts 22 GSHP sector set to grow

19

ROOFING 23 Not your average roofing job 24 Roofing Awards 2014

TECHNOLOGY 53 Tech startup gathers pace

53

WORKING AT HEIGHT 26 NASC formally withdraws TG20:08 26 New Information Member logo 27 2014 Safety Report launched 28 Success at Safety & Health Expo 28 MEWPs safety issues highlighted 29 Progress for overseas training 30 Clients on all five continents 31 There’s more to access towers 31 Prosecution demonstrates dangers AERIAL & SATELLITE INSTALLATION 32 Above and Beyond CONSTRUCTION COURSES 35 Forging links with academia 35 CIOB opens its 2014 awards 36 Funding and skills shortages 37 Manufacturer turns to students 39 Free business support 40 MSt pushes the boundaries 41 Architectural visualisation course 43 Increasing employer engagement 45 Scotland’s academic centrepiece TRAINING 47 Apprenticeships to be debated 47 Construction industry suffering alone 48 edudo helps worker succeed 48 Skills shortages affecting recovery 49 Randstad CPE sponsor award 49 Giving HR managers headaches HEALTH & SAFETY 50 Safety group welcomes new scheme 50 The workplace still considered unsafe 51 Drugs and alcohol cost industry dear 51 HSE seeks views on changes 52 Health and safety show goes global 52 NHBC H&S winners announced 52 New glove’s exceptional durability

CONSTRUCTION LAW 54 Changes to the Finance Act 55 Government rejects land claim CONCRETE 56 Scientist welcomes revised regs 56 Art deco gem has façade repaired 57 Successful concrete repair 59 DSA keeps its members up to date TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY 60 Education and training are key 60 Show moves to Peterborough 61 ‘Synchronised’ boring helps site 62 Swedish Technology Days SEWERS 63 Septicity control BOOK REVIEW 66 Short Form of Subcontract updated

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Constructive ‹ THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY continues to be an enigma. The housebuilding sector has established

itself as a leading engine of recovery and there are myriad infrastructure projects underway; yet there continues to be a shortage of skilled workers coming into the industry and the number of apprentices has actually fallen – the only sector to show such a fall.

The UK has also established itself at the forefront of the development and implementation of BIM and most, if not all, of our universities offer qualifications in various areas of the construction industry. However, one element of technological innovation which its practitioners see as under-represented in the groves of academe is trenchless technology. That picture, hopefully, is changing.

The industry in Scotland has a new centre of excellence. The Construction Scotland Innovation Centre opened its doors in March. It did so without a chief executive. But don’t bother applying – the applications closed on 4 July and we should soon know who is to be appointed.

• Falls from height continue to be a major cause of workplace deaths and injuries. The HSE has initiated various campaigns to address the problem and the access industry has also been at the forefront of promoting safety while working at height. New guidance from the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation was issued earlier this year and the NASC has now withdrawn the earlier version.

Another industry where working at height presents risks is in the installation of communications aerials. Its trade body, the CAI, is also very active in promoting training in safety as well as the technical aspects of its work.

Health and safety training generally seems to be a flourishing activity, helping to bring down the number of accidents leading to injuries and fatalities. Awards events such as the NHBC Health and Safety Awards and the NFRC Safety in Roofing Awards help to foster a more vigilant culture.

There are those, however, who fear that efforts to reduce ‘red tape’ and clear out many regulations are putting the clock back. The Guild of Builders and Contractors have raised just such fears over the replacement of the CDM Regulations 2007, which it is claimed have reduced the annual rate of fatalities on building sites by 62%.

The Guild said in a statement: “We believe that the proposed 2014 Regulations, if adopted, will set the building industry back over 30 years in terms of fatalities and serious injuries to those working on construction projects.”

• No construction publication can take itself seriously without addressing the issue of sustainability. This year Construction National had its first exhibitor presence at Greenbuild Expo in Manchester. It was a bustling place and the magazine was a popular read. In this issue, green roofs guru Dusty Gedge and BALI both put forward the case for the greening of our grey infrastructure.

• It has been a tradition of many years standing that Construction National celebrates the housing development site managers honoured by the NHBC in its annual Pride in the Job awards. This year is no exception. We will be bringing news of who won what for where in our next issue. Watch this space. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Summit reveals bumper public sector pipeline ‹ THE THIRD ANNUAL Government Construction Summit took place

at the beginning of July, revealing what the government envisages for construction to help stimulate and grow the economy.

Vince Cable MP opened the event talking about the importance of investing in the skills shortage in the construction industry by creating apprenticeships. Construction is the only sector of the economy where apprenticeships have declined in the past couple of years – everywhere else apprenticeships have boomed.

Government representatives also used the event to announce the pipeline of future public construction opportunities, which is £116bn up to and beyond 2020. The information, collated by Barbour ABI, reveals upcoming public projects, with the intention of providing firms of all sizes the forward notice and information they need to invest in the relevant skills, labour and capabilities to win contracts going forward.

The latest total marks an improvement of £13bn on the previous estimate of £103bn announced in December last year.

The Government Construction Summit is a partnership between Building, the Cabinet Office, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Infrastructure UK and the UK Trade and Investment. The event is the only one of its kind organised in partnership with the government. It takes place at a time of dynamic change in the industry

as it experiences rapid growth following the recession.

The 2013 summit saw the launch of the overall strategy for the industry – Construction 2025 – which set out bold ambitions and a partnership approach to transform the construction industry. This year’s summit revisited the strategy, to track progress and update the issues around it.

Tom Broughton, brand director at Building and head of content at UBM Live Built Environment, said: “The Government Construction Summit is an opportunity for the industry to come together with government representatives and discuss issues that are affecting the industry, as well as potential solutions. The event also offers the vital opportunity to hear about how to win work both in the public and private sector.”

Commenting on the £116bn public sector pipeline figure, the lead economist at Barbour ABI, Michael Dall, said it should offer a significant boost to the country’s building specialists.

He commented: “Hopefully, the government pipeline will help to increase optimism across the industry, which was strongest towards the end of 2013 when output rose at its fastest rate for more than six years.”

The economist said that by highlighting the value of the Government’s proposed construction projects, concerns should ease regarding the extent to which the sector is reliant on house-building initiatives. q

Crossrail tunnellers turn TV stars ‹ The mammoth Crossrail project will be

the subject of a three-part documentary from the BBC beginning on 16 July. Programme makers went behind the scenes of Europe’s largest infrastructure project as it constructs a new rail line through the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.

BBC 2’s Fifteen Billion Pound Railway follows the construction of the new train tunnels and stations under London. Crossrail provided exclusive access over two years to the programme’s producers Windfall Films, who spent time with tunnellers and engineers as construction of the new railway progressed. They witnessed the engineering challenges and key milestones including the spectacular tunnel machine breakthroughs.

Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme said: “The documentary series provides a unique insight into the complexity and challenges of delivering Europe’s biggest construction project through the very heart of London. Every day people walk past our construction sites unaware of the maze of tunnels that are being constructed below London’s busy streets.”

The first episode, Urban Heart Surgery, follows the team of workers as they drive 1,000-tonne tunnel boring machine Ada through Tottenham Court Road Station within

800mm of the operating Northern Line.

Episode two, Tunnels Under the Thames, sees the Bermingham father and son team follow in the tradition of tunnelling greats, the Brunels, and build new train tunnels under the River Thames in southeast London.

Meanwhile, project manager Linda Miller is rebuilding the Victorian Connaught Tunnel under the Royal Docks.

The final episode, Platforms and Plague Pits, tracks the team as they construct the cathedral-sized new station at Canary Wharf.

The cameras join engineers as they carve out the underground caverns that will become the new stations at Liverpool Street and Whitechapel and follow archaeologists as they uncover a 14th-century emergency burial ground, established ahead of the plague. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Quarry passes two million tonne landmark ‚ IN JULY CEMEX’S Dove Holes quarry in Derbyshire delivered its

two-millionth tonne of aggregates of the year. Situated close to the Peak District, Dove Holes is CEMEX’s largest quarry and provides limestone for construction projects all over the country.

The site covers 500 hectares, with the surrounding grassland providing an important area for the rare twite bird. The species has been categorised as of high conservation importance and a priority UK Biodiversity Action Plan species.

The grassland helps provide the seed for food needed by the twite, which has been seen nesting in cracks in the quarry face. CEMEX is working with the RSPB to help manage and restore its sites, giving nature a home. q

Expert backs

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‚ A LEADING CONSTRUCTION

accountant has thrown his weight behind Sir John Armitt’s call for the establishment of an independent Infrastructure Commission.

Richard Threlfall, partner and UK head of infrastructure, building and construction at KPMG, said: “The single biggest challenge facing our country is its need to sustain economic growth in a fiercely competitive global economy in the coming decades. To do that we must invest continuously in our infrastructure – our energy, transport and water networks as well as our cities, schools, hospitals and housing. “Importantly, to do this without wasting time and money, we need an investment plan focussed on ensuring that every pound we spend drives the most economic growth for UK plc. That is why the proposed Infrastructure Commission put forward by Sir John Armitt is so essential. “I welcome the publication of the draft bill for the Infrastructure Commission and the timeline for it becoming a reality. I particularly welcome the inclusion of large housing developments in the commission’s remit. Infrastructure supports and enables the development of communities and it is only right that they should be considered together. “Including major developments in the remit of the commission would help deliver two of the key recommendations of the recent KPMG/Shelter report Building the Homes We Need, which called for more Garden Cities and integration of planning for infrastructure and new homes.� q

It’s time to salute those who take Pride in the Job ‹ THE NATIONAL HOUSE-BUILDING COUNCIL (NHBC) has announced the award-winning

site managers in the first round of its annual Pride in the Job awards. The 446 individuals – selected from around 15,000 site managers working on NHBC-registered sites throughout the UK – have won either a Quality Award or Single Home Commendation, depending on their category.

Now in their 34th year, the Pride in the Job awards recognise the unique contribution site managers make in the creation of homes of outstanding quality. Site managers have a greater influence over the outcome of a project than anyone else involved, overseeing everything that happens on site.

The winners have excelled in a comprehensive year-long judging process, assessed against stringent criteria defined by NHBC’s technical standards for building new homes. They are now shortlisted for regional titles which will be revealed in the autumn.

The regional champions will then go forward to contest the national Supreme Winner title in their category at the Pride in the Job Gala Final in London in January.

As in previous years, Construction National will be following them on that journey with a series of special features on the award-winning managers and their sites. The first in that series – in our next issue, to be published in the autumn – will showcase the wide range of developments that feature in the first round of winners.

Site managers who win NHBC Pride in the Job awards are building homes of an exceptionally good standard and which are without doubt among the best the UK has to offer.

NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said: “For nearly 35 years Pride in the Job has been a fundamental component of NHBC’s work to raise standards through the celebration and sharing of best practice. Our winners are at the forefront of the housebuilding recovery, making sure that quality is maintained and improved year on year, as they raise the bar for success in the competition.” R

Join the toilet revolution with Propelair ‹ JOIN THE TOILET REVOLUTION! Be one

of the first to experience a high performance toilet requiring only 1.5 litres of water per flush. Propelair is a reliable innovation, offering customers a green and cost efficient solution compared to conventional WC systems.

After 5 years of intensive research and development, the British designed and manufactured invention uses patented POWA displaced air technology, which creates a powerful high performance flush.

The water efficient innovation reduces water consumption by 84% compared to the average UK toilet. This means it’s great for your budget! With toilet flushing accounting for up to 90% of all water use in commercial buildings and offices, quick payback periods can be achieved, typically averaging between 6 months and 3 years, with water bills slashed by up to 60%.

The super-clean toilet also improves sanitary hygiene. Research carried out by The Centre for Research into Environment and Health confirmed almost all aerosol and residual contamination is removed upon flushing. The rimless pan and patented removable hinge system, with its smooth contours, make previously hard-to-clean areas easily accessible, ensuring all contaminants

are removed. Reducing the risk of cross contamination means a cleaner, healthier environment for your workforce.

Due to its unique design, Propelair can be easily retrofitted to existing drainage systems and can operate using small-bore drains in addition to the usual 100mm size. This is a significant advantage for designers and architects allowing total design freedom when deciding toilet positioning.

Reaching the highest performance rating under BREEAM’s water efficiency consumption guidelines, whilst boasting WRAS, ISO9001, BSI Kitemark and Waterwise approval, Propelair is an innovation you can trust.

So why not join the green toilet revolution and benefit from Propelair’s innovative design, style and functionality. R • For more information visit www.propelair.com or email enquiries@propelair.com.

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Globalstar Europe introduces SPOT Trace – dependable anti-theft tracking ‹ GLOBALSTAR EUROPE SATELLITE SERVICES LTD. has announced the immediate availability

of SPOT Trace™ – the ultimate anti-theft asset tracking device, ideal for cost-effectively monitoring expensive equipment on construction sites. The device automatically notifies plant owners or site managers via email or text when movement is detected – anytime, anywhere.

The Home Office estimates that plant theft alone costs the UK construction industry £400m each year. SPOT Trace allows the owners to view the GPS co-ordinates of their equipment, on a smartphone or online, in near real-time using Google Maps™. The device uses Globalstar’s dependable next generation GPS satellite network to keep tabs on valuable plant – even in areas where mobile network coverage is poor or non-existent.

SPOT Trace’s affordability and long battery life of up to 18 months make it ideal for tracking construction equipment left on site for extended timeframes, while its compact size (approximately 5 x 7 x 2 cm) and rugged design mean that it is durable enough to be mounted practically anywhere – discreetly and out of sight of potential thieves.

The device is very easy to set up and use. Its vibration sensor immediately triggers a movement alert to be sent to the site manager, or other designated contact, via text or email when it detects that the asset has moved. SPOT Trace users can also set the device to track GPS co-ordinates at 2½, 5, 10, 30 or 60 minute intervals. Another key feature is the automated power-off alert, which continues to send GPS co-ordinates every day, helping the recovery of lost or stolen assets.

“SPOT Trace offers the construction industry a dependable, effective and highly affordable way to safeguard valuable equipment left on site overnight and for extended periods. With our solution, plant owners and site managers can monitor their valuable equipment 24/7, even on sites where there is little or no mobile network coverage,” said Gavan Murphy, director of marketing, Globalstar Europe. q • SPOT Trace is now available in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa with an RRP of €125, and a range of service plans starting at €119 per year or just €11.90 per month. For more information and a list of online outlets visit the website at www.findmespot.eu.

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CDM 2014 –

a recipe for disaster

By Ted Goddard, executive director of the Guild of Builders and Contractors and Fellow of the Association for Project Safety

‹ RECENTLY, THE HEALTH and Safety

Executive (HSE) published their proposals to replace the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and issued a consultative document. We believe that the proposed 2014 Regulations, if adopted, will set the building industry back over 30 years in terms of fatalities and serious injuries to those working on construction projects.

The HSE said in a statement published a short while ago: “There have been significant reductions in the number and rate of injury over the last 20 years or more. Nevertheless construction remains a high risk industry.

Although it accounts for only about 5% of the employees in Britain it still accounts for 22% of fatal injuries to employees and 10% of reported major injuries.”

However, it is a fact that the annual rate of fatalities on construction sites has reduced by 62% since the introduction of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. Over the same period the rate of major injuries on construction sites has reduced by 38%.

In the light of these facts, why is the Government about to make fundamental changes to the CDM Regulations? The only positive change proposed is that, for the first time, domestic projects will be included in the Regulations. Almost all of the changes will result in significant reductions in the safe planning and co-ordination of building work and the safe use and maintenance of completed projects.

It is undoubtedly a grave error to remove the competence requirement from the Regulations. There is overwhelming evidence that a lack of training and experience and pure incompetence is the root cause of the majority of accidents. It is not acceptable for the HSE to refer to the balance between costs and benefits in the competence arena as a reason for omitting a requirement for a high level of competence of all individuals and corporate bodies involved in the construction process.

Proof of competence need not be excessively bureaucratic if it is engrained in the policies of corporate structures of any size. It is untrue for the HSE to say that competence is most effectively promoted through cultural change and leadership in the industry rather than regulation. Anyone involved in small and medium size building projects will have seen evidence of a lack of training and knowledge and simple incompetence resulting in avoidable and unnecessary accidents and injuries.

The CDM Regulations were originally introduced in 1994 and created the role of planning supervisor. The Regulations were then redrafted in 2007 and changed the planning supervisor’s role into the current role of the CDM co-ordinator which is a familiar part of the construction industry today. The CDM co-ordinator is a trained and competent health and safety professional and is the principal advisor on health and safety matters to the entire design and construction team.

The proposals to remove this role and incorporate the responsibilities in the new role of lead designer will mean removing the independent and professional role in health and safety planning and the continuity of responsibility from initial planning to practical completion of the construction process. The costs of instructing an independent CDM Co-ordinator are grossly overstated in the consultation document and the benefits are more appreciated and acknowledged by architects and clients.

This is the most irresponsible proposal that the HSE has made in the consultation document.

The second most irresponsible proposal is to replace the Approved Code of Practice with a suite of targeted guidance. We believe that regulatory requirements create the motivation for achieving higher standards and continuous improvements in health and safety leading to innovation and best practice. Omit regulation and standards will fall and fatalities and serious accidents will increase. Guidance should assist in the understanding of regulations not replace them.

The intention of introducing a new role of ‘principal designer’, is the third most irresponsible proposal. Only people who are competent and experienced enough to act as CDM co-ordinators could possibly carry out the role effectively. However the title indicates that a person who is a designer is capable of performing the proposed

duties. The training of an architect does not currently cover fully the duties envisaged in the consultation document. Many architects do not want to take on the role as it would involve additional training and increase their workload for which they may not be able to seek additional payment from clients.

The HSE state that two thirds or more of fatalities now occur on small sites — sites where fewer than 15 people work. The EU Directive requires the UK regulations to include building work for domestic clients much of which constitutes ‘small sites’. It is totally illogical to change the requirements for notification of a project to those that will have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project as well as lasting longer than 30 working days.

The current requirement of 30 working days or 500 person days is more logical and likely to be more effective in ensuring competent management of smaller projects.

The removal of the requirement for a competent duty holder to advise clients on the suitability of the Construction Phase Plan is the fourth most irresponsible item.

This requirement was effectively a final preconstruction check that ensured that the principal contractor had considered all of the risks associated with the project.

Under the CDM 2007 Regulations the CDM co-ordinator often identified omissions in the Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan and therefore the removal of this requirement will undoubtedly lead directly to an increase in accidents and injuries.

When it comes to the lives and well-being of workers on building sites what should be the criteria of Government represented by the HSE7? Should it be to do as much as possible or as little as they can get away with? We hope that the answer is clear.

The construction industry has worked hard to reduce the appalling rate of accidents and we hope that the Government does not accept the current proposals by the HSE and set the construction industry back 30 years in terms of the number of fatal and serious injuries. We owe it to the hardworking men and women working on construction sites to do all in our power to keep them from preventable and sometimes fatal accidents.

Removing the CDM co-ordinator’s role or the competence requirements will be a disaster and will be seen as throwing the baby out with the bath water. q • For more information visit the website at www.buildersguild.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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How to beat the cashflow squeeze in the construction industry

By MARTIN BENNISON, managing director of Ultimate Construction Finance

‚ SUBCONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION industry have

always faced awkward cashflow challenges – but stuck between the industry giants and the banks they’re now being squeezed even harder. A new type of specialist construction finance solution is therefore proving very beneficial.

payment before approval, allowing you to release most of the cash you are owed as soon as the work is completed. There’s no waiting 30 days for approval – and no waiting a further 120 days for final payment. q

Expect to wait... and wait When a first tier subcontractor makes an application for payment it takes about 30 days for approval by the main contractor. During that time they’ve had to pay their staff four week’s wages, cover the cost of materials and do another month’s work. Once the invoice is approved they are then at the mercy of the main contractor to pay them promptly. This might be a further 30 days – but it could be 60 or even 90!

A recent study by the Electrical Contractors’ Association suggests late payment for subcontractors is still endemic. Nearly a third of those surveyed said they have to wait 60 days or more to be paid by main contractors on private sector projects. Things are little better on central Government projects where attempts to improve payment times aren’t working – only 8% of those surveyed said the main contractor regularly passes on the Government’s best practice payment terms of 30 days.

Going from bad to worse!

A number of these main contactors, including Carillion, Balfour Beattie and Kier, have recently extended their payment terms to 120 days. To soften the blow they have introduced supply chain finance schemes where subcontractors can access money owed to them as soon as an invoice is approved – but the subcontractor has to pay 3% or 4% for the privilege.

Given that the banks are less than enthusiastic about funding SMEs, especially those in the construction industry, the combined effects are very damaging – the growth of small construction firms is being stifled and many are struggling to survive.

A huge wait off your mind There is no doubt this is a serious situation, however there are independent lenders out there who can help. Some even work with quantity surveyors so they can advance funds against applications for

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Construction National joins the throng at Greenbuild Expo ‹ MAY SAW THE RETURN to Manchester of Greenbuild Expo – the leading exhibition and seminar programme showcasing sustainable building and refurbishment.

Held at Manchester Central, the expo brings together built environment professionals who design, refurbish or manage domestic and non-domestic properties. The free-to-attend event once again combined a comprehensive conference programme, featuring expert speakers from across industry and academia, with an extensive exhibition of the latest technologies and materials to achieve a sustainable built environment.

As in previous years, the lively Central Debate Area generated a great deal of energy and heat of its own. In particular, the challenges and opportunities offered by the Green Deal were again debated. The revised Energy Company Obligation was also put under the spotlight and delegates explored the possibilities offered by social media in sustainability issues.

In addition to the central debates, break-off seminar rooms hosted talks on everything from green building materials and sustainable construction to low-carbon design and energy-saving refurbishment.

In particular, retrofit is a hot topic among the sustainable building community.

The show also hosted the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Renewable Heat Incentive Roadshow. The DECC showcased its domestic RHI programme at the event to an audience of assessors, installers and other renewables experts.

A newcomer to the show was Construction National itself.

The stand attracted a great deal of interest, with staff distributing free copies of the printed magazine as well as encouraging exhibition goers to join its online community.

Alongside the Greenbuild Expo show was Ignition 2014, the UK’s only woodfuel event. With its own dedicated exhibition space and seminar programme, the event showcased everything that’s new in the wood-burning world as well as investigating the Microgeneration Certification Scheme – an eligibility requirement for the RHI and the Feed-in Tariff. R

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Living wall technology greening our grey infrastructure

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) discusses the contribution of living walls to the future development of our urban landscape

‹ IN APRIL THIS year, multinational engineering consultancy Arup published Cities Alive – Rethinking Green Infrastructure. This hugely comprehensive report demonstrates how the creation of a linked city ecosystem – encompassing parks and open spaces, trees, woodland, green roofs, living walls, waterways and so on - can help to create healthier, safer and more prosperous cities.

Five key requirements are cited within the report, each with significant implications for urban designers. For those responsible for constructing our urban landscapes – including contractors in the landscape industry – the need to find new approaches to greening our grey infrastructure is helping to create innovative technologies. Living walls are one such example.

Developed in conjunction with the landscape industry and installed by specialist contractors, living walls are becoming increasingly commonplace in cities across the globe. Whilst the construction industry is committed to using more environmentally sustainable building practices in new builds and refurbishments, living walls – along with green roofs – offer a huge opportunity for the retrofitting of existing buildings and allow the ‘greening up’ of areas where open green space is heavily limited or simply impossible to deliver.

A growing body of research is supporting hitherto largely anecdotal evidence as to the numerous benefits living walls deliver in an

urban environment.

It is already proven that plants purify the air, reducing levels of nitrogen oxides and PM10 (particulate matter) generated by city traffic. Using living walls along city arteries helps to mitigate the impact of air pollution whilst, at the same time, improving biodiversity by bringing insect and bird friendly plants into the city environment along crucial green corridors.

Earlier this year, towns and cities in the UK experienced serious flooding and transport disruption resulting from heavy rain events in ‘sealed’ urban environments. Living walls and green roofs assist with reducing the impact of storm water run-off by controlling the release of water into urban drainage systems.

The impact that living walls are having on reducing the urban heat island effect and, more specifically, in bringing energy efficiencies to buildings by cooling them in the summer and insulating them in the winter, is the subject of a recently completed 18 month study by the University of Sheffield. BALI member Scotscape Limited, worked closely with the research team to obtain, under scientific conditions, data that would prove the beneficial effects of living walls on buildings.

The results have been illuminating, displaying exceptional readings for the effectiveness of living walls in reducing the temperature of buildings during the summer months. On one day in July

2013 the external surface temperature of the building used for the research was 45°C. However, this reading reduced by 20°C where a living wall was in situ and the internal temperature of the building was correspondingly affected.

The insulation qualities of living walls during the winter months were also positively demonstrated by the research, which showed a saving of an additional 7°C of heat that would otherwise have been lost through the walls of the test building.

The installation of living walls presents varied construction challenges. The iconic London Aquatics Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (pictured) not only presented Scotscape with a number of design challenges but logistical ones too – the most demanding being the unique bow/sphere shape that was to be clad using a module that would not ‘bend’. One supplier was convinced that the scheme was impossible.

The solution was to trim the modules on site without compromising either their structural integrity or the irrigation system, closely followed by designing a substructure with the main contractor that offered strength, versatility and longevity.

The south-facing wall was designed to cover the plant room that services the Aquatic Centre and this southern aspect posed a number of heat issues. The airconditioning plant generates heat of up to approximately 40°C beneath the wall in the summer whilst, at the same time, the sun is generating heat onto the front face. With careful maintenance and calibration of the irrigation system, Scotscape is able to ensure the living wall stays healthy and flourishes.

There is a burgeoning interest in living wall technology, which is set to increase exponentially as the impressive research data is examined by urban planners. q • For more information visit the BALI website at www.bali.org.uk.

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COVER STORY

The SSE Hydro’s green roof challenges are solved by Blackdown ‹ A BLACKDOWN GREEN ROOF at

Glasgow’s newest landmark, The SSE Hydro, has boosted the building’s green credentials.

Project architects Foster and Partners required a sustainable solution to complement the strong design features of the arena’s main entrance.

The installation presented a number of challenges due to the varying pitch of the roof and the requirement for the planting system to be fed on a regular basis.

Blackdown, part of Alumasc’s Roofing Division, supplied and also installed the intensive green roof system. 37,000 ‘Maygreen’ shrubs were planted to form a hardy green mat over the low level ‘skirt’ above the entrance of the arena. q • For more information visit the website at www.blackdown.co.uk or call 01460 234582.

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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The case for green roofs is becoming more and more evident

By DUSTY GEDGE, president of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations

‹ THE ECONOMIC VALUE of a green

roof is difficult to evaluate, but there is an economic case for green roofs – especially where there are policy initiatives and planning requirements in a given conurbation. London has such planning and policy initiatives.

Where a green roof is a requirement or an ‘expectation’, the cost/benefit analysis can be justified. Those costs will, in the near future, become even more rational as cities and regions respond to climate change through the adaptation strategies and green infrastructure initiatives that are being promoted through the European Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services Policy.

Energy use is a factor for building owners.

On average a building can save 4.15KwH per square metre of green roof over a year, in summer cooling alone. As we experience longer hot spells in urban areas that is a factor that will become increasingly important.

Linked to that – and a concern for city governments – is the potential to reduce the impact of the urban heat island effect (UHIE) in cities across the UK. This is of public good in the main, but feeds back to private buildings because of the increase in the need for air-conditioning. Last year in London during the July heatwave demand for air-conditioning fans grew so high that you would have had to travel up to 40km outside London to purchase one!

Furthermore, while many in the construction industry tend to see technologies in isolation, there are benefits to combining approaches.

A case in point is the provision of green roofs and solar energy.

In many cases the industry will assign one roof for solar and another roof for greening.

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However, there is a body of evidence in Europe that combining solar and green roofs is not only a sensible and multibeneficial approach, but can also increase the efficiency of energy production during periods of the greatest sunlight. This is due to the evapo-transpiration of the green roof acting to maintain a reasonable ambient air temperature around the solar panels. There is a caveat, however, in the need to match the type of vegetation and solar panels to ensure that the process works efficiently.

The other headline benefit is a green roof’s ability to reduce the impact of the intensive summer storms that are already happening in many of our cities and are likely to increase. While many US and mainland European cities provide a fiscal payback to businesses with green roofs, there are currently no such processes in the UK. They are, however, likely to come sooner rather than later as cities seek to make their current infrastructure more resilient to climate change. A good green roof with a reasonable depth can reduce both volume of rainwater and rate of run-off. Although these values are not currently ‘allowed’ in stormwater calculations to meet the 1 in 100 year storm, utilities and cities are likely to recognise and give value to green roofs for reducing the impact of summer storms.

There are a number of other values that are softer and less easy to quantify in terms of pounds, shillings and pence. However, as we move towards an ecosystem service and green infrastructure approach to the built environment, factors like a reduction in air pollution and noise levels, and provision of biodiversity on buildings will become increasingly important for planners and therefore the construction industry. q

A biodiverse green roof by Boningale Greensky

A domestic installation by Sky Garden

Green roof installations by Blackdown at Loughborough University (above) and the bus station at West Ham (below)

Increase in green roofs promotes biodiversity ‹ SKY GARDEN, the UK’s leading independent Green Roof specialists,

have seen a welcome increase in the use of roof spaces to promote biodiversity, both in urban and rural areas.

Biodiverse Roofs offer benefits to the various stakeholders with interests in building projects, including planners meeting the requirements of local and national biodiversity action plans; developers achieving excellent credit ratings for BREEAM ecology requirements; ecologists promoting a range of plant, invertebrate and bird species that compliment the local environment; and contractors, who are realising the cost benefit of biodiverse plugplanted and seeded systems.

The benefits of conventional sedum blanket green roofs are well documented. However, they offer only limited forage for pollinators during the height of summer, a flat terrain and mono-species planting.

Biodiverse roofs can support a far richer diversity of flora and fauna by adding some simple design features without significant extra cost. These include varying aggregate areas, integrating log piles, stone mounds and sand banks into the design, and contouring substrate depths to create different microclimates of sun, shade and shelter. Sparse planting and areas of bare ground actually increase the variety of invertebrates likely to colonise these neglected roof spaces and birds and bats that feed on the insects can be encouraged to stay by installing roosting and nesting boxes.

Russell Hartwell, who looks after Sky Garden’s London and South East region, commented: “We provide habitat creation and NBS Q37 specification services, working with the ecologists, architects, landscape architects and contractors to provide biodiverse roofs that are sustainable and fit for purpose. We grow our own sedum and wildflower plants and offer a turn-key package of design, supply, installation and maintenance.

“With our experience in the green roofing industry spanning decades, which has seen us install tens of thousands of projects across the UK and Europe, you can be sure to benefit from our expertise and unparalleled service.

“This level of expertise is coupled with our UK grown and sourced vegetation and materials, which allows us to guarantee the highest levels of quality in each and every project we are part of. Along with a broad national installation network, ensuring locally sourced labour and short lead times, we are able to stay competitive and socially responsible when installing our stunning range of green roofs.

“Sky Garden aims to find the most suitable and sustainable solution for each individual green roof project, drawing on extensive industry knowledge and access to a broad range of living roof components.” R

Background image: Kane’s Foods’ new salad factory near Evesham was topped with a 6,000m2 wildflower green roof. It was the first use of Sky Garden’s wildflower blanket, launched in 2010, and it won the company the NFRC Sustainable Roof award in 2013. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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We’re getting all pumped up over heating ‚ One of the low-carbon options for heating and hot

water is via a heat pump. The two principal sources for the heat are the atmosphere and the ground, although exciting new possibilities are being opened up for water source and even marine source pumps.

The pump itself needs power for operation. Although in many cases that is provided via the mains, combining a system with electricity generated from photovoltaics adds to the carbon reduction achievable.

When the water used is wastewater, which would normally be fed into the sewer system, then the advantages increase.

In the following pages we showcase some of the applications that are available for both domestic and non-domestic premises. And following the introduction of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in April the demand for renewables is set to increase.

Plus, with the announcement of an increase in tariffs for the non-domestic RHI, the future is even more rosy for heat pumps. q

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Draughty stately homes can have heat pumps, too! ‹ ONE OF THE arguments often used

against heat pump installations is that they only work in buildings that are well insulated.

The Heat Pump Association, however, has reported on a recent installation which dispels the myth. Soulton Hall in Shropshire demonstrates that even properties with high heat loss factors through low levels of insulation can benefit from the installation of heat pumps.

Soulton Hall is a Grade One-listed Elizabethan manor house that is also used as a venue for wedding parties. Its listing means its thermal integrity cannot be substantially changed, such as via the application of wall insulation or changes to the leaky single multipaned leaded windows. The roof was insulated during a refurbishment as it is out of sight.

Before having a ground source heat pump system installed it consumed £20,000 worth of oil per year, yet even then not all areas were adequately heated and comfortable.

Following the installation of the GSHP system annual fuel bills have dropped to £10,000, providing a seven-year payback without any incentive support from RHI. q

NT helps turn the tide in favour of renewables ‹ ONE OF THE FIRST – and the biggest – marine source heat pumps in the country has been completed by the National Trust, at its Plas Newydd site in Anglesey.

The project is the first of five schemes to be completed in a £3.5m pilot phase of a Renewable Energy Investment Programme, launched last year in partnership with Good Energy.

The marine source heat pump will provide 100% of the heating needed

by Plas Newydd. The 18th-century mansion used to be the Trust’s biggest oil user and on some winter days would consume 1,500 litres of oil a day – the same as a typical house would use in 10 months.

The 300kW installation pumps a small amount of sea water from the Menai Strait through pipes to and from a heat exchanger on the shore, and then up 30m of cliff face to the mansion’s boiler house. It cost £600,000 to install and is expected to save around £40,000 a year in operating costs. The money will be reinvested into the conservation of the elegant mansion – from its military uniform collection to a cricket pavilion on the estate.

Adam Ellis-Jones, NT’s assistant director for operations in Wales, said: “With the Irish Sea right on the doorstep of Plas Newydd, a marine source heat pump was the best option for us. However, being a pioneer is never easy. There are very few marine source heat pumps and none of this size in the UK, so it has been a challenging project but a very exciting one.

“From the start, we’ve worked closely with SEACAMS (Sustainable Expansion of the Applied Coastal and Marine Sectors), led by the School

of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University, and conservation experts to make sure we got the best from the technology while protecting the site’s fragile environment and archaeology. We’re now very keen to share what we’ve learned with others.”

Rural enterprises director Patrick Begg added: “This is a transformative scheme. I couldn’t be more delighted that Plas Newydd – a really sensitive and special place – is not only converting to clean energy, but taking the lead on innovation. It’s clear to us that we need to make big changes so that we can continue to protect our treasured places and tackle the impacts of climate change. This successful scheme marks a major step forwards in our clean energy journey.” q

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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New system offers solar solution to

zero carbon building ‹ WITH ENERGY PRICES rising, the

construction industry is under increasing pressure to move towards low and zero carbon building. The prohibitive cost of renewables, however, has prevented many builders and developers from adopting these standards on a large scale, and zero carbon remains the domain of one-off, high-budget projects. That is, until now.

A new technology system has been launched that allows new buildings to achieve zero carbon using only solar energy, and without incurring prohibitive costs.

The Zero Carbon Solution is an innovative combination of new and existing technologies that provides an affordable out-of-the-box energy system for domestic and low-rise commercial developments. Comprising three core technologies, the system can meet a building’s full heating, lighting and hot water requirements all year round.

Hybrid PV-T panels are used to collect both thermal and electrical energy, which is used to provide space heating and to warm the

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building’s hot water tanks. Once these are up to temperature, a sophisticated controller redirects the energy to be stored underground for use during the winter months, when the sun is low in the sky.

A patented Earth Energy Bank (EEB) is installed within the footprint of the building to store the excess heat generated during the long summer days. Because the system fits between the standard foundations of a building, it is ideal for use in multiple house developments or in areas where space may be scarce. Unlike alternative ground source systems, the EEB uses a series of shallow boreholes and does not require any expensive specialist drilling equipment.

During the winter months, when sunlight is at a minimum and additional heating is required, the system utilises the stored heat in the EEB. A ground source heat pump draws upon the warmed air to heat the building and meet any hot water requirements. Because of the raised temperature of the EEB, the heat pump

is able to operate at a higher coefficient of performance than traditional systems, meaning it can be powered using electricity captured by the PV-T panels.

The Zero Carbon Solution has been trialled in an exemplar project, the Solar House, which is believed to be the first new-build house in the UK to be powered solely by the sun’s energy all year round. Researchers at De Montfort University in Leicester are monitoring energy flows within the house and interim reports show the system to be performing above expectations.

Since the completion of the Solar House last autumn, the Zero Carbon Solution has already been installed in a number of other projects, including commercial offices and family homes. Further projects are in the pipeline and the system looks set to become a familiar feature of zero carbon building designs. q • For more information visit the website at www.zerocarbonsolution.co.uk.

DrainMiserTM – maximising ROI ‹ DRAINMISER

are a range of efficient and affordable waste water heat recovery systems, designed to offer the best possible return on investment for all products of this type.

Similar products which have been marketed usually only offer standard sizes of heat exchangers, not always offering a product to fit a particular requirement. In heat recovery the size of the heat exchanger is all important – the larger the surface area the more energy is recovered. However with this technology one size does not fit all.

The DrainMiserTM range has been designed by Greengineering Limited. The simple designs allow the manufacture of a range of fitting options and bespoke units to suit the customer’s circumstances.

Traditional methods and skills are utilised in order to keep quality high whilst also offering an affordable bespoke solution. The product range includes both passive and active heat recovery solutions.

DrainMiserTM V is a vertical passive unit which efficiently recovers the thermal energy from showers and in-house testing confirms 60-70%+ for a 2.1m unit. The unit would be installed where a shower is located on the first or second floor and can be supplied in lengths up to 3m with a range of fittings and inlet/outlet locations.

DrainMiserTM H is a horizontal passive unit currently in development which fits under a bath or shower tray. The novel heat exchanger performed well during TM

testing with 40% energy recovery. The final design will include a case manufactured from recycled plastic.

DrainMiserTM HP is unique in that it is an active thermal recovery system designed for use with heat pumps in commercial or domestic properties. In testing, it was found that this technology improved the performance of the heat-pumps. The solutions designed by Greengineering are suitable for use under baths and kitchen cupboards, as well as in small commercial operations. Alternatively the grey water tanks may be sited outside of buildings, including underground.

The simplicity of the design allows great flexibility in size and shape of the grey water tank. One particularly interesting version allows a solar assisted air sourced heat pump to be fitted to any flat in a high rise block.

This is the only renewable energy system which can operate at height, with no serviceable parts on the exterior of the building.

All of DrainMiserTM systems are hand built with pride and will be sold in the country of manufacture. All products bear the flag of that country and the initials of the person who built it. The DrainMiserTM units are designed to be 100% recyclable and use the minimum of materials.

Energy is costing the earth – why waste it! R • For more information visit the website at www.greengineering.co.uk.

DrainMiserTM V is a vertical passive unit which efficiently recovers the thermal energy from showers and in-house testing confirms 60-70%+ for a 2.1m unit.

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Heat pump industry honours its stalwarts ‹ ON 19 JUNE the National Heat Pump Awards

2014 took place in Birmingham. The awards are run by the Heat Pump Association and there were over 100 entries in the 11 categories.

With the awards being presented by comedian Simon Evans, it proved to be a fun evening as well as an opportunity to network with industry leaders and innovators.

The demand for energy efficiency in homes and commercial buildings is rapidly growing as home owners and business owners alike strive to lower their energy bills and decrease their carbon emissions.

The UK government encourages the market for renewable energy from heat pumps and other technologies with Green Deal and the Renewable Heat Incentive, and so it is up to the heat pump industry to provide high-quality products and services to help individuals and organisations to install the best solutions for their circumstances.

The National Heat Pump Awards are an opportunity for the growing renewable energy industry to highlight this exciting and developing market, its innovations, expertise and talents to domestic and commercial markets. The awards started in 2011 and have been a popular success from the start with the entrants, sponsors and attendees.

Five of the award categories were for installations – covering air, ground and water source in both single and multiple dwellings as well as commercial properties – with a further award for the best public sector project. The installers themselves, both domestic and non-domestic, were also given awards. In addition, there were two product innovation awards – for a heat pump and for an ancillary product – and the categories were completed by an in-situ monitoring award.

Also during the evening Phil Creaney’s Heat Pump Champion was announced. He is Terry Seward (pictured), secretary of the Heat Pump Association and the commercial manager for FETA. Described as a pillar of the industry, he has been instrumental in helping it to develop in the UK. q • For a full list of the award winners visit www.acr-heat-pumps-today.co.uk.

GSHP sector set to grow ‹ THE INTRODUCTION IN April 2014 of the domestic RHI and

the increase (doubling) of the non-domestic RHI will bring great benefits to the ground source heat pump (GSHP) sector by way of enhanced competitiveness against fossil fuels and biomass. There are already good signs of a recovery in the market after a very difficult few years – due to the recession and dithering by Westminster.

Many new entrants can be expected to try their hand at GSHP installation and all must be aware that standards and quality of work are fundamental to the future health of the sector.

Standards have been developed and are now available from the GSHPA for thermal piles, closed loop borehole and shallow ground source systems. As long standing GSHPA members, Rutland-based Carbon Zero Consulting is co-ordinating the compilation of open loop standards which will be available later in the year.

Equally important is the need for sound design based on measurement of the thermal properties of soils and bedrock for shallow and borehole systems respectively. Carbon Zero Consulting provides a unique service to measure soil thermal properties in-situ and remove ‘guesswork’ when using MCS look-up tables or within the design calculation process.

Over 20 sites have now been surveyed for soil properties for projects of up to 200kW. Results show that using measured (rather than assumed) soil properties can save the designer from under or over-sizing ground loops by very large margins. q

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Not your average roofing job ‹ A CORNWALL BASED ROOFING specialist has undertaken a very

unusual project which required the closure of one of the UK’s busiest motorways. JR Flat Roofing (UK) Ltd, based in Redruth, secured the contract with a longstanding client, Moto Hospitality Ltd, the UK’s biggest provider of motorway service areas.

The contract meant applying a new roof on the Moto footbridge, which offers a pedestrian route from the north and south bound Trowell service areas across the busy M1 motorway near Nottingham.

The work involved laying an Alumasc Euro Roof Mono Felt System across 175 square meters of the footbridge, replacing the external fascia boards and refurbishing the entire flat roof.

Due to the unusual shape of the footbridge, an ordinary scissor lift would have left a dangerous gap between the roof and the supporting structure.

Therefore, for health and safety reasons, Heritage Events & Scaffold Hire Ltd of Berkshire carefully planned an alternative structure – specially designing scaffolding to sit on a truck, in order for it be situated on the motorway lane.

This meant closing the motorway one lane at a time and working exclusively at night in order to complete the £150k contract. Plus, with the time needed to set up and close down the supporting structure, the team only had a 4 hour window to work on the roof.

However, due to the excellent management and efficiency of the team, JR Flat Roofing were able to complete the contract ahead of schedule, taking just four days instead of the predicted seven.

Nick Rogers, managing director of JR Flat Roofing, is delighted with the outcome, saying: “A lot of hard work and planning has taken place over the past 12 months so we are thrilled with such an excellent result. We believe that in order to be as cost effective as possible for the client, it is important to complete work as thoroughly, yet efficiently, as possible.

“We are extremely grateful to Heritage Scaffolding, as they were able to erect and dismantle the supporting scaffolding within such a short time window. This job posed complications for all parties and we are proud to have overcome them in order to reach such a successful outcome.”

As one of Moto Hospitality’s approved contractors, JR Flat Roofing often secure contracts to help with their service stations, though not normally with such obstacles to consider.

Darren Spruce, from Moto Hospitality, was pleased to have JR Flat Roofing working on the contract, saying: “We often work with JR Flat Roofing as we find them reliable, efficient and cost effective. We knew this would be a tricky job to co-ordinate, but JR Flat Roofing worked out the solution in order to complete the job to their usual professional and high standard.”

Founded by John Rogers in 1984 in Redruth, JR Flat Roofing is a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, specialising in flat roofing for domestic and commercial properties.

With a main office in Cornwall (soon to expand with the recent purchase of additional office space) and a new office in London, the company often sends operatives across the UK working on contracts for London Underground, high street banks, Co-op stores and various commercial developments in central London as well as those for MOTO Hospitality.

Reaching a turnover of £1.4 million last year, £1million came from work outside of Cornwall – bringing revenue back into the county. This year, the company celebrates 30 years in business, and to mark the event hosted a charity cake sale which raised over £3,000 for Help for Heroes. q • For more information about JR Flat Roofing please visit their website at www.jrroofing.co.uk.

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Roofing Awards 2014 – the winners revealed ‹ IN MAY, THE 9th annual Roofing Awards took place at the Hilton Metropole in central London. A record 700 guests were part of this prestigious industry event which was jointly hosted by TV presenter and interior designer Linda Barker and NFRC chief executive Ray Horwood.

Winners of the 2014 Roofing Awards: Roof Sheeting

Lakesmere – London Heathrow Eastern Terminal 2a

Fully Supported Metal Roofing Richardson Roofing Co. Ltd – Penarth Pier, Cardiff Vertical Cladding/ Rainscreen Lakesmere – First Direct Arena, Leeds Single Ply

IKO PLC (with Briggs Amasco) – Blacon Crematorium, Chester

Liquid Applied Waterproofing Tor Coatings (with Roofing Consultants Limited) – Leeds Corn

Exchange Reinforced Bitumen Membrane BBR Roofing Ltd – The Oasis, Meadowhall Shopping Centre

The Roofing Awards also reward and put the spotlight on the individuals and organisations that go above and beyond the call of duty.

NFRC Health & Safety Champion 2013 went to Lee Smith of Longworth Building Services. His attitude to health and safety took a positive change as a young worker, following a motivational talk from someone who had fallen from a ladder. Now he speaks with confidence and in depth at tool box talks as an example of one who thinks of others in ensuring safe working.

Exceptional Contribution to Training, in partnership with CITB, went to Mike Fildes of Fildes Roofing Ltd. On his own initiative and with his own funding, he has provided training to a wide range of young people and disadvantaged personnel. More recently he has founded his own successful Roof Training Group.

In the NFRC Safety in Roofing Awards, those who scored the highest within their roofing disciplines were Dougall Roofing &

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Solar on Roofs

Bauder Ltd (with J Randall Roofing Contractors Ltd) – Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire

Slating

B & D Roofing and Building Ltd – Jeffrey House, Edinburgh

Tiling

Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd – Hollybridge, Tunbridge Wells

Green Roofs

Bauder Ltd (with Accurate Roofing Ltd) – Fulham Jetty, London

Heritage Roofing

Claude N Smith Ltd – The Laurels, Stilton, Peterborough

Waterproofing Solutions Limited for slating and tiling, Industrial Building Solutions for flat roofing and Impwood Roofing Company for industrial roofing and cladding.

The Lead Sheet Association’s Young Lead Worker of the Year award went to Harry Blain, a self-employed leadworker from Leicester.

He scooped the award for his methodical approach and his meticulous attention to detail, producing the neatest and most technically correct leadwork.

The Lead Contractors Association presented the Murdoch Award and Murdoch Sponsor’s Award for best leadwork. The former was won

by Martin (UK) Roofing Systems Ltd for the London Oratory in Kensington. The Sponsor’s Award went to Lead Tech Roofing for a private house in the Cotswolds.

The Roofing Awards brings everyone within the industry together and along with NFRC, the awards hosts were the Roofing Tile Alliance (RTA), the Liquid Roofing Waterproofing Association (LRWA), the Lead Contractors Association (LCA), the Lead

Sheet Association (LSA), the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC), the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA), the Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association (MCRMA), CompetentRoofer and the Green Roof Centre.

Key partners were B&CE Benefit Schemes, CITB, Electrical Contractors Insurance Company (ECIC) and Quality Assured National Warranties (QANW).

Of course the awards would not take place without the continued support of the sponsors, in particular SIG Roofing and Roofline who provide additional support in the development of the event.

Indeed, Ray Horwood thanked all the

sponsors for their continued contributions.

This year they were: Associated Lead Mills Ltd, Avonside Roofing, Axter Ltd, Brett Martin Ltd, Easy-Trim Roofing and Construction Products Ltd, FOAMGLAS UK, ICB (International Construction Bureau) Ltd, Icopal Ltd, IKO plc, John Brash & Co. Ltd, M&J Flat Roofing Ltd, Marley Eternit Ltd, Radmat Building Products Ltd, RAM Consultancy Ltd, Monier Redland Ltd, Renolit Cramlington Ltd, Scott Bader Ltd, SFS intec Ltd, Sika Liquid Plastics, Sika Sarnafil, SikaTrocal, and SSQ UK Ltd. R • You can view this year’s winners and finalists projects at http://bit.ly/1hEXJme.

Roofing Awards co-host Linda Barker (right)

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NASC formally withdraws TG20:08 ‹ FURTHER TO THE PUBLICATION of TG20:13 in February, the

National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has formally withdrawn TG20:08. From 1 July 2014, the NASC recommends that all tube and fitting scaffold structures should be supported by TG20:13, using TG20:13 eGuide generated compliance sheets, or by a bespoke scaffold design.

TG20:13 aims to raise the awareness of good scaffolding practice across the construction industry, with a view to improving health and safety standards throughout the sector. It has been designed to reduce the requirement for bespoke scaffolding design for standard scaffolding structures.

The TG20:13 suite of publications, developed by the NASC with software experts CADS, is supported by the UKCG, HSE and CITB. It is underpinned by detailed structural research and conforms with the European Standard BS EN 12811.

TG20:13 is comprised of four distinctive publications. Two comprehensive A4 books, Operational Guide and Design Guide, are supplemented by a pocket-sized User Guide and the innovative and user-friendly software known as the eGuide. The eGuide incorporates TG20 compliance sheets which significantly reduce the requirement for additional scaffold design and is also now available as an Android app.

NASC managing director, Robin James, said: “Now that TG20:13 has had a four month ‘bedding in’ period, the time has come to withdraw its predecessor TG20:08 to ensure that the industry is working to current guidance. The NASC is confident that its members, and the wider industry, will continue to welcome this innovative product. It will help to reduce design costs for a range of standard scaffold designs and to drive up standards and help make the industry a safer place.” q

• The pricing structure for the full suite of TG20:13 publications is posted on the NASC website at www.nasc.org.uk and discounted rates are available for NASC member companies.

New Information Member logo ‹ THE NASC HAS LAUNCHED a brand new logo for the expanding ‘Information Member’ section of its membership, designed to differentiate between information only and full member companies.

The new NASC ‘away strip’ logo is predominantly red, with a blue stripe, and incorporates the words ‘NASC Information Membership’ in white lettering. The logo has been created to serve a growing interest from companies wishing to join the NASC as information members, a group which now exceeds 40 businesses. Scaffold contracting organisations are not eligible for NASC information membership.

Applications are welcomed from trading organisations which fit the description of ‘service providers to the UK access and scaffolding industry’ and are subject to NASC approval. NASC information members include training providers, scaffold designers, health and safety consultants, insurance companies and providers of security and contractual expertise.

Robin James, NASC managing director, said: “With the growing number of companies applying for information membership status, we felt the time was right to give the group their own bespoke NASC logo, to showcase their membership and to make clear the distinction between full and information members.

“Pick-up and use of the new logo and feedback from the membership has been very positive and we hope that the new logo will raise awareness of this strand of membership and encourage further applications.”

Use of the new logo is restricted to NASC information members only and the confederation has issued clear guidance regarding use of the logo within corporate literature and company regalia. q • To find out more about becoming an NASC Information Member or a Full Member company please visit www.nasc.org.uk or email enquiries@nasc.org.uk.

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2014 Safety Report launched at S&H Expo ‹ THE NASC HAS launched its 2014

Safety Report which documents the statistics for scaffolding accidents for all 201 full contracting member companies in 2013. it covers some 13,749 operatives – estimated to be around 75% of the UK’s total scaffolding operatives. The report was distributed from the NASC stand at the S&H Expo at London ExCeL in June.

All NASC full contracting members are required to submit a completed annual accident return form as part of the NASC membership criteria. The Safety Report is based on data generated by this exercise including: • Injuries and fatalities to operatives, • members of the public and third parties • Accident causes and types • Detailed analysis of accidents • Comparison of HSE and NASC accident • statistics • What the NASC does to support safe • scaffolding practice In line with current HSE reporting procedures, the report now includes 7-day incidents only. As such, it appears to show a marked reduction in incidents, when compared with 3-day reporting, as detailed in the 2013 Safety Report and previous years.

There were no fatalities to operatives in 2013, although 30 major injuries were reported, and the total number of 7-day injuries was 66.

The 2014 Safety Report showed that there were 15 falls from height in 2013, with the highest reported fall being from 5m. Six reported falls were from scaffolds or working platforms, five of which were from under 4m, with one fall at 4m or above.

The report also highlights that slips, trips and falls (STF) on the same level were the major cause of accidents in 2013, followed by manual handling, falls from height and falls of materials. This is the tenth consecutive year that STF accidents have been the major cause of injury, amounting to nearly 43% of all injuries reported.

Manual handling injuries have increased from 9 in 2012 to 17 in 2013, an increase of nearly 89%. The NASC is keen to reduce this trend in line with its guidance SG6:10 Manual Handling in the Scaffolding Industry.

When incident and accident figures are analysed by grade of operative, scaffolders suffered the largest number of accidents across all age ranges, totalling 46 (48%). This was followed by trainees 22, labourers 14, advanced scaffolders 7, supervisors 1, drivers 3 and managers 3.

The NASC has identified an increase in the number of 7-day incidents involving trainees in 2013. This is

currently under investigation by the NASC Health & Safety Committee.

Overall the most common injury was a fracture of the hand, fingers and wrists (13%), followed by a fracture of the feet, toes and ankles (10%), sprain to the feet, toes and ankles (8%) and strain to the back.

NASC president, Kevin Ward said: “It is without doubt welcome news that the long term trend of NASC member companies in terms of standards of safety performance continues to show improvement. This is the overriding factor that translates to the coalface, resulting in year on year reductions in not only minor and major accidents but also unnecessary fatalities of scaffolder operatives, third party labour and others such as members of the public who can also be affected by the activities of scaffolding contractors.”

Adrian Rooney, chairman of the NASC Health and Safety Committee, said: “The report shows yet again that the efforts and commitment shown by member companies, and above all those who work on NASC committees and groups to produce safety guidance, training and associated literature, are succeeding.

“We have, once again, seen a fall in overall figures for accidents and incidents, despite an increase in the number of operatives. But most heartening is the correlation between member figures and those for our industry as a whole, which shows that NASC members continue to outperform the industry.”

NASC managing director, Robin James added: “Once again, the Safety Report has

revealed interesting and positive statistics and provided engaging analysis, which can be used to help raise standards and levels of safety in the scaffolding and access industry. The rise in manual handling injuries and injuries to trainees is being looked at closely, and we will be encouraging members to work towards reducing these figures immediately.” R

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Success at Safety & Health Expo ‹ THE NASC EXHIBITED with considerable success at the Safety & Health

Expo, the UK’s largest health and safety event, which took place at London’s ExCel in June. The confederation took the opportunity to showcase its recently published good practice guidance for tube and fitting scaffolding TG20:13, which was received with great interest by hundreds of construction and health and safety industry professionals who attended the show.

The confederation also used the event, which attracted some 40,000 visitors, to launch its 2014 Safety Report. It was widely circulated at the Expo, with over 300 copies being distributed from the stand.

The NASC stand was clearly visible throughout the enormous venue, thanks to a 5m free-standing scaffolding tower constructed by NASC members TRAD Scaffolding Ltd, and was visited by more than 350 people during the 3-day show. Many of the visitors were given a live TG20:13 eGuide demonstration, which was very well received. The TG20:13 Android app and the new Information Membership category logo were also showcased, with keen interest in both.

There was also considerable interest in the industry scaffolding training scheme CISRS, particularly in relation to overseas training and the changes to UK training courses following the introduction of TG20:13.

NASC social media from the Expo, via Twitter and Facebook,

trended on a health and safety blog and the organisation topped the Safety & Health Expo organiser’s own app for social media activity, seeing off hundreds of other brands and bloggers.

NASC managing director, Robin James, said: “The 2014 Expo has been a huge success for the organisation, spreading the NASC safe scaffolding and CISRS quality training message far and wide. The confederation has had a presence at this event in previous years but this year has been the most important to date – the organisation has clearly demonstrated to the health and safety industry what it is doing as the national trade body for access and scaffolding . We will be back in 2015 to promote our work further.”

CISRS training manager, Dave Mosley added: “Interest levels in CISRS were phenomenal and we were thrilled by the positive response received. The event has given CISRS the opportunity to tell industry what we are doing to improve the standards of scaffolding training in the UK, and we are already looking forward to developing our presence at the 2015 event.” q

Workshop highlights MEWPs safety issues ‹ THE RECENT IOSH CONFERENCE – held during the Safety

& Health Expo – featured a workshop on Managing Excellence in MEWPs. The workshop revolved around the question: ‘Have you got the right staff with core skills and competence to manage and operate mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) safely?’

The question was posed by Chris Wraith of the IPAF technical and safety executive and Martin Wraith of training company INATIV. The presentation discussed the core skills and essential knowledge needed, highlighting relevant guidance and possible solutions available to ensure the safe and effective use of MEWPs. MEWPs are one of the safest means of working at height, but using them can introduce hazards that managers need to be aware of and manage appropriately. IPAF offers a MEWPs for Managers training course aimed at enabling supervisors and managers to prepare for and safely co-ordinate various types of MEWPs on site. q

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CISRS Overseas Scaffolding Training Scheme makes progress ‹ HAVING RECENTLY RETURNED to the UK after carrying out

successful annual accreditation visits to two CISRS providers – Safety and Access Middle East in Ajman and Simian Skills in Dubai – CISRS have announced that they are very excited about the positive response CISRS scaffolding training is receiving within the region.

Whilst both training providers have only been in operation for a 12month period, several hundred delegates have now undertaken CISRS Overseas Scaffolder Training Scheme (OSTS) courses. These have included Level 1 Scaffolder, Basic Scaffold Inspection and Scaffolding Supervision.

Although scaffolding training is not necessarily a new thing in this region it is only in recent times that clients and contractors have begun to question the suitability, course content and duration of some of the previously available courses.

The introduction of the CISRS scheme is seen as a massive step forwards in improving the safety and quality of scaffolding erected on site. As such, many of the major players within the region are looking to implement a scheme which reflects UK standards.

The OSTS course programmes are structured slightly differently to the UK scheme, however content and training exercises covered are very similar. The training will be carried out to UK best practice and industry guidance, but will also incorporate local legislation from the region.

Dave Mosley, CISRS scheme manager, said: “I feel that there are great opportunities for the CISRS scheme within the Middle East, as there is a vast amount of work in both construction and the booming oil and gas sectors. It would be amazing to think that in the not too distant future CISRS could become the qualification of choice for the scaffolding sector CISRS training manager Dave Mosley (right) with Simian Skill centre within this region.” manager Terry Sennet Cape Asia Academy in Muntinlupa City, Philippines has also been awarded accreditation to run OSTS courses at its centre. Cape were the and upwards and, during the recent CISRS audit visit, Cape also gained very first overseas centre to be awarded CISRS accreditation over seven accreditation to run the Advanced Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme years ago. They had initially run courses based upon the current UK (SITS) courses. R scheme, however with CISRS launching OSTS in 2013 they will now be transferring to the overseas programme in order to come in line with other • For further details about all CISRS overseas accredited training centres non-UK CISRS providers. or for information about any of the scaffolding training courses on offer Director Mike Harding stated: “We have always been big supporters please visit www.cisrs.org.uk or email enquiries@cisrs.org.uk. of the CISRS scheme and we feel that training our operatives to these standards has given us the edge over our competitors within the region.

“Moving over to the OSTS scheme will CONSTRUCTION allow us retain the quality and rigour INDUSTRY SCAFFOLDERS of the UK scheme whilst the shorter RECORD SCHEME duration training modules will help us operationally and logistically when programming courses for scaffolders who are working all over the world and are often away for considerable periods of time.”

Cape’s commitment to CISRS is reflected in the high quality of their training facility. A purpose built steel structure was introduced in 2013 in order to accommodate Advanced Scaffold exercises and all of the theory tests within the CISRS courses are ;n_ij_d] 9?IHI _dif[Yj_ed YWhZi m_bb h[cW_d lWb_Z kdj_b j^[_h [nf_ho ZWj[$ completed on line with computers <eh \khj^[h _d\ehcWj_ed and work stations available for each delegate.

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Delivering to clients on all five continents

‹ THE STAFF AT Liverpool based George Roberts are a highly motivated

group of professionals with many years experience in the scaffolding and construction industry, obtained through a number of the leading international suppliers of scaffold and access equipment.

For several years now the company has been investing heavily into the business, facilitating growth through expansion and business change, and they have recently gained ISO9001 accreditation.

George Roberts is one of the largest independent scaffolding suppliers of its kind and is totally committed to its customers, providing quality products and services at the right price to meet the demands of a competitive market place.

Existing and new clients on all five continents provide repeat and new business to the company, emphasising their commitment to both quality and service not just in the UK market, but worldwide.

From a small air parcel of scaffolding tools to full sea freight containers of scaffold equipment, the team at George Roberts give their industry-renowned personal attention to the needs and expectations of all their clients.

Of particular importance to the company’s international clients has been the need for all materials supplied to meet full British and European standards. In addition to this, containerisation and all export documentation is carried out by the company’s experienced personnel. q

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Access towers: more than meets the eye ‹ AFTER TRAINING A RECORD number of over 65,000 people to work safely

at height last year, in May the Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) launched its latest training course Towers for Riggers. Aimed at advanced users of mobile access towers, the course is currently available for all PASMA hire and assembly members.

Delegates are taught to assemble and dismantle complex towers in various configurations, including towers with a large decked area, high level towers (those taller than 8m used externally and 12m internally), bridging structures, end and side cantilevers towers, linked façade structures and stepped towers (towers on stairs).

At the course’s launch, PASMA’s director of training, Stuart Hopkins, said: “Towers are a great option for a wide range of jobs, but they are often ignored because people can sometimes think of them as only being for quick up-and-down jobs. The advanced structures will be used in much more complex situations than in our previous courses, which will be a huge advantage to our hire and assembly members.”

Towers for Riggers takes place over five days. It brings together the in-depth knowledge usually taught in several of PASMA’s one-day courses, leaving successful delegates able to build a range of towers in non-standard configurations to suit any task for which a tower could be useful.

At the launch, PASMA manufacturing member the Youngman Group officially handed over the equipment used on the course, along with the details and plans necessary for the configurations – a requirement of the Work at Height Regulations.

Jason Carlton of Youngman said: “We have a strong emphasis on safety, and being involved in this course is important for us and for the industry in general in helping to demonstrate that towers are capable of more than just a standard build. The work we’ve done behind the scenes in terms of technical development now enables us to demonstrate that you can do a lot more with an aluminium tower than had previously been shown.” q

Prosecution demonstrates dangers of work at height ‹ FALLS FROM HEIGHT ARE one of the biggest causes of

workplace fatalities and major injuries. Common causes are falls from ladders and through fragile roofs. Recent prosecutions demonstrate some of the tragic consequences.

In the latest case, heard on 4 July, a roof repair company was fined after a worker suffered multiple injuries when he fell four metres from the roof of business park premises in Hoddesdon, Herts.

The 23-year-old was on the fragile asbestos cement roof to make temporary repairs in May 2011, when it gave way beneath him.

He sustained serious fractures to his skull and an eye socket, a fractured wrist, major bruising to his back, a gash to his left leg and cuts to his head which required stitches. He was hospitalised for a total of five days.

Reactive Roofing (UK) Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found that the company had failed to adequately plan the work or provide safety measures to protect workers from falls.

Stevenage Magistrates’ Court heard that workers were relying solely on scaffold boards placed over the fragile asbestos roof sheets while overlaying the roof with wooden frames made of battens and covered in tarpaulin. While installing the final frame, the worker walked across an unprotected area of the roof and it gave way beneath him.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Paul Hoskins said: “It is vital for those responsible for planning work to ensure they follow the correct precautions when anyone is working at height.

“Simple measures such as using barriers to prevent access to fragile areas or safely installing adequate coverings over the fragile roof sheets would have meant workers were protected.

“It is essential that the hazards associated with working at height are recognised and understood by those carrying out the work. You should never work on a fragile roof without a safe system of work.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Above and Beyond ‘For what we are about to receive via aerials and satellite’ TIM JENKS, senior executive for the Confederation of Aerial Industries Ltd (CAI), gives thanks for how the TV and radio signal reception trade has revitalised after a miserable 2013.

‹ YOU HAVE TO BE brave to state the recession is over – but from

the doldrums of 2013 we definitely have signs of revival in the aerial and satellite trade. The reception of transmitted moving pictures for displaying on TV’s around our homes is just part of a highly statistical revue if you wish to partake. Sufficient for us to know that for over 11 million homes Freeview is the default means by which folk watch TV. This is good news for the aerial trade – especially when an ill-wind blows during a British winter. The tail end of 2013 and start of 2014 saw CAI distributors and manufacturers reporting a welcomed and well-defined upswing in TV signal reception kit sales.

Installers welcome DIY The market for DIY aerial equipment is unbelievable – and so are the results. We saw supporting evidence for this in early switchover days.

TV aerial market research surmised that 30% of UK households were using an indoor aerial of some description. Disappointment with the unforgiving nature of digital TV has driven many to caving in and calling an installer to deal with bedroom TVs suffering annoying break-up as a result of ineffective DIY attempts. The analogue world forgave many sins, as a grainy picture was tolerable, but the precise nature of digital needs a professional remedy – unlike the photograph below!

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Onward and upward The CAI has pioneered training in the antenna industry since the mid 1980s. The growth of multi-dwelling construction and building prosperity has pushed forward the market for networked distribution systems. The nature of signal travel along coaxial cable sparked the development of necessary codes of practice and a practical knowledge of how to install to standards that result in a robust distribution network.

This has led the CAI into product benchmarking, with new aerial standards now in place to cope with the evolution of spectrum sell-off and potential LTE 4G interference.

The connected home raises the stakes considerably. Wireless technology is huge but the need for interference-free, correctly wired networks makes much work for many hands. The necessary inclusion of broadband into the home network is a natural add-on to the integrated reception systems (IRS) born during the satellite boom of the 1990s.

Also at this time safety for an industry using ladders as a working platform became paramount and the CAI has now produced the first work-based assessments for engineers needing certification renewal. This reduces down-time and brings massive savings on travel costs for member companies.

Education…education…education Education and skills, alongside assessment, have become a major percentage of what the CAI delivers at various locations throughout the UK, spearheaded by its industry defining classroom in Watford (pictured). A full range of courses, from basic in-home TV aerial installation through to master antenna systems feeding 100’s of apartments, is delivered by CAI tutoring staff.

A review of training needs is ongoing at the CAI as we develop new

courses for new signal delivery environments. Fibre optics is the next major quantum leap for signal delivery over large areas and physical distances.

From a slow start, momentum appears to be gathering for fibre networks as more housing decision makers weigh up the economics and future-proofing of large developments. q • For further information visit www.cai.org.uk.

CAI – maybe the new acronym for Competence And Innovation…?

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Construction industry forges links with academia ‹ IN COMMON WITH MANY industries, construction has, over

the years, become a more and more technical and professional activity. In parallel with advances in technology and technicality has developed an academic approach to many of the roles. Architecture, engineering and now construction management have all become the subject of academic qualifications.

Most, if not all, universities now offer courses in constructionrelated subjects – both at graduate at post-graduate level. Some have direct practical applications in the field, while others are more theoretically orientated. What they all have in common is that they contribute to the multibillion-pound industry that is this country’s fifth largest employment sector.

The construction industry is becoming more and more involved in the education sector, with companies not only sponsoring chairs and awards in the traditional sense, but also setting up whole departments which are named after large companies.

There have also been calls for even closer links between the industry and academia. Recently, a course leader at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen called for universities and the industry to work more closely together.

Rob Leslie, of the university’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, who is also a former chair of the Chartered Institute of Building in Scotland, said that closer cooperation is essential to plug the looming generational skills gap in the industry.

He said: “The industry needs to start making itself more attractive

as it comes out of recession and commit to training up the new generation of workers.“ Mr Leslie (pictured) added: “Construction is vital to the overall economic health of the nation – designing, building and maintaining the infrastructure that we all depend upon and take for granted. The industry needs to attract new blood and collaborating and fostering links with the education sector is one of the key ways to do it.”

In its strategy for the construction industry, Construction 2025, published in 2013, the Government states: “The higher education sector is a key contributor to a number of elements in the industrial strategy.

“Recognising this, and the infrastructure investment and development being made across the sector, Government and the higher education sector will work together to explore how the potential benefits of the Government construction pipeline can be realised for universities.”

This special Construction National feature aims to give a flavour of the kind of opportunities that are being offered by the education sector, at both undergraduate and post graduate level. q

CIOB opens its 2014 awards ‹ ON 24 JUNE the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) announced

the opening of its annual International Innovation & Research (I&R) Awards. The awards, which have been running for over 10 years, celebrate achievement across the built environment, from academic research to industry innovation.

Dr Chung-Chin Kao, Innovation and Research Manager at the CIOB, said: “The I&R Awards are open to people at all stages of their career and this year’s competition is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with cash prizes of up to £2,000.

“We received over 200 submissions from 24 different countries for last year’s awards, highlighting the importance of innovation and research on an international scale. The awards are thus in place to symbolise and reward those at the forefront for carrying out, and actively promoting, research and innovation.”

The I&R Awards 2014 have six categories: • Undergraduate Dissertation Award • Masters Dissertation Award • Research Paper Award • Innovation Achiever’s Award • Digital Innovation Award • Innovation in Education and Training Award The closing date for entries is 3 October for all categories except the Masters Dissertation Award, which closes on 21 November. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Funding and skills shortages are construction’s biggest challenges ‹ A LACK OF FUNDING and a shortage of skills are the biggest

barriers faced by the construction industry in the North West. The findings came out of a survey carried out by The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) which questioned delegates at its Construction Best Practice event.

Other problems highlighted by attendees, made up of representatives from the north west’s construction industry, included late payments and growth difficulties.

Professor Akintola Akintoye, who is Dean of The Grenfell-Baines School of Architecture, Construction and Environment at UCLan said: “It’s unsurprising that shortages in both funding and skills are considered the biggest obstacles faced by construction professionals.

“During uncertain economic times, an investment can make all the difference to a business’s sustainability and a skilled workforce is essential for strong and balanced growth.”

When asked about the best ways to address the issues faced, the most popular solutions identified by delegates at the event were collaboration and networking.

Professor Akintoye added: “It’s good to see Lancashire’s construction community has identified collaboration as a way to tackle the issues. With the right support, Lancashire can overcome these obstacles, grow profit, safeguard jobs and gain a competitive edge.

“At UCLan, we offer business support within the construction industry and are helping to address the skills gap through our wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across a range of specialisms.”

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The Construction Best Practice event brought construction business owners, directors and improvement managers together with UCLan’s innovation and enterprise team to learn about the types of support available to businesses from the University. Additional events will be taking place throughout the year. q

UCLan offers a range of construction courses including: Undergraduate • Architectural Technology, BSc (Hons) • Building Surveying, BSc (Hons) • Building Services and Sustainable Engineering, BEng (Hons) • Construction (Foundation Entry), BSc (Hons) • Construction Project Management, BSc (Hons) • Facilities Management, BSc (Hons) • Quantity Surveying, BSc (Hons) Postgraduate • Building Conservation and Regeneration, MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Building Services, MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Construction Project Management, MSc/PGDip/PGCert • Project Management, MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Leading UK manufacturer turns to University’s student engineers ‹ A MAJOR SUPPLIER to the construction

The MSc programme covers ten different pathways in engineering including civil, electronic, materials, manufacturing and mechanical.

Following the three-month placement, students continue working on a bespoke research project where they have access to the latest advanced manufacturing, research and testing equipment at the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering.

The University of Derby’s programme was born out of the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s national £25 million Postgraduate Support Scheme. Derby was one of more than 40 UK universities to share in the fund.

It aims to support 20 pilot projects – run jointly by universities and businesses – helping more than 2,800 first degree students into postgraduate education, particularly those usually less likely to progress to this level.

Also available as part of the project is the part

time, work-based MSc Professional Engineering degree course. Developed with the Engineering Council as part of the Engineering Gateway Programme, it is ideal for employers looking to support the development of their current employees.

It is studied part time, through online distance learning, enabling students to acquire professional competences and gain an MSc award without the need to take time off work.

The programme should improve employee attraction and retention through offering credible and reputable staff development opportunities, and create a talent pool of chartered engineers – improving business capacity to bid for larger projects. q • Employers wanting to find out more and take on their own placement student as part of this project should contact the University on 01332 592715 or email PSSEng@derby.ac.uk.

Bringing new and innovative thinking to your organisation Employ a masters engineering student on a short term placement Find out more: www.derby.ac.uk/msc-engineering or 01332 592715

57429 MC 6/2014

industry is one of the first organisations to offer work placements for trainee engineers at the University of Derby as part of a new Masters degree.

John Brash Ltd, a leading UK manufacturer of timber products for the construction industry, will take on a student, to be tasked with helping reduce the company’s heating bills to make it ‘greener’.

The University is responding to a reported skills gap in vital engineering skills in the UK, and has launched the MSc in Innovative Engineering Solutions course, beginning in September 2014.

It is working with a number of employers to offer three-month placements to students, giving them the opportunity to be at the heart of the development of the engineers of the future, whilst students gain a free postgraduate education.

The project is aimed at attracting students already working in the industry as well as those studying engineering at undergraduate level. It also aims to help those from under-represented backgrounds in the industry (including women) to enter engineering.

Brian Lancaster, production director at John Brash Ltd, said: “We are excited by this opportunity to work with an engineering Masters student.

We have already defined a project for them to maximise the utilisation of our waste products to reduce our heating bills, carbon emissions and improve our green credentials.”

Angela Dean, head of School of Engineering and Technology, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the University and employers to work together to develop workforce engineering skills through postgraduate study.

“Employers are influencing the development of an innovative programme of study and developing a training programme that suits their needs, focusing on specific projects and commissioning bespoke research. They are reaping the benefits of being involved in the recruitment and selection of a potential new member of staff.”

www.derby.ac.uk www.constructionnational.co.uk

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School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

Your opportunity to shape the world Enhance your career in construction with a postgraduate course at Nottingham Trent University MSc Construction Management

MSc Built Environment Studies

Develop further knowledge of the process associated with construction management, in national and international environments.

Create a bespoke MSc relevant to your own interests, specialisms and career development.

• • • •

Optional overseas residential study trip.

Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building (CIOB).

Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Full-time, part-time and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) study options..

MSc Project Management (Construction) Enhance your understanding of project management in the construction industry, in particular the role of the construction project manager and needs of the clients.

• Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES).

• Flexible study options – full-time through to distance learning and CPD. • Options to start in January or October.

• Flexibility to build your own programme of Built Environment modules.

• Study at your own pace.

• Access to immediate new knowledge, addressing emerging industry demands.

We also offer postgraduate courses in Architecture, Property and Surveying, Structural Engineering, and Product Design.

For a list of all of our courses, please visit: www.ntu.ac.uk/adbe-pgcourses

www.ntu.ac.uk/adbe

Visit us at an open event Find out more about the courses by meeting our academics at an open event.

To book your place now, please visit: www.ntu.ac.uk/cnvisit 38

www.constructionnational.co.uk

Sustainable Building Futures Project offers free business support ‹ THIS £5 MILLION PROJECT, jointly funded by the European

Regional Development Fund and Coventry University, assists small to medium sized construction enterprises in the West Midlands region to help them become competitive for the future.

The project offers real business solutions by offering training and workshops to up-skill or work collaboratively to develop products, as well as assessment and innovative sustainable building solutions to enable them to grow whilst delivering buildings that perform in use.

The project has assisted over 300 businesses to date.

The up-skilling includes subjects such as Passivhaus, Sketch Up, Revit, PAT Testing, Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme, BIM and many more. The aim of these workshops is to provide SMEs access to courses which they may otherwise not be able to afford or access locally. These workshops have been immensely popular and will continue until 2015. The feedback from SMEs has been excellent and demonstrated a real business need for what is being provided.

Another area being developed further is BIM (Building Information Modelling) to include virtual simulation for academic and industry training. The training will be offered to industry as a collaborative training exercise driving future BIM and sustainable design techniques and knowledge.

Government drive indicates that BIM skills and information sharing, protocols and processes are essential for improving the efficiency of

design and operational performance of buildings. The training will aim to directly facilitate this Government drive. A core feature of working within a BIM environment is the multi-disciplinary collaboration from the very outset of a project. Additional to this, industry participants will have the opportunity to carry out training within project specific virtual environments, providing an opportunity for key issues and processes to be worked through prior to arriving ‘on site’.

Construction virtual environments are very limited in availability and live project specific virtual environments provided for training purposes are fairly unique. For industry the training will be tailored such as: • CPD training for SMEs and larger enterprises • Access to pre-determined BIM and sustainable practice training • scenario events • Unique project specific live virtual BIM training, analysis and • interrogation These workshops will offer SMEs and larger enterprises the chance to develop BIM and sustainable development knowledge and skills.

The emphasis will be to move the knowledge base on from ‘what is BIM?’ to understanding actual BIM techniques to better design and construction in the UK. q • For more information contact the SBF Team at sbf@coventry.ac.uk or call 02477 658800.

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Masters course pushes the boundaries of construction thinking ‹ THE CONSTRUCTION Engineering Masters programme offered by

the Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology at the University of Cambridge is a two-year part-time course leading to a Master of Studies (MSt) degree.

The course is designed for those who already have at least several years of professional experience and who have either already attained a leadership role, or have been identified as potential leaders in their field.

The aim of this MSt is to transform construction by educating the future leaders of our industry to think differently, challenge existing widely-held assumptions and draw on the latest research and thinking across the industry. The part-time format of the course permits students to continue with their professional career while studying, a factor that attracts employer funding for many students.

The content of this revolutionary course enhances students’ technical knowledge and managerial skills; covering topics that range from the high level financing requirements of PFI and PPP type mega-projects to the latest innovations in analysis, design and materials technology.

The course is as multidisciplinary as the construction industry itself – covering buildings, major civil works, transport, infrastructure, energy (including nuclear), water and much more.

Contributing lecturers teach alongside University of Cambridge staff and have included the UK’s current and former Chief Construction Advisors, the chair of the BIM Implementation Group, the technical director of HS2 and the head of the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation, as well as CEOs and senior directors of many major client, contractor and consulting organisations – to name but a few.

The course centres on a number of themes: • Finance, planning and procurement • Design for construction • Advanced construction management and methods • Advanced construction technology • Functionality, operation and performance • Sector specialisation • Innovation, research and the future of construction The fundamental goal of this programme is to improve the performance, efficiency and sustainability of the construction sector while promoting innovation and new technologies. With former and current students speaking extremely highly of the course and its impact on their work, it is easy to see why the reputation of this excellent MSt is so strong. q

Construction Engineering Masters Programme This MSt course is offered by the Department of Engineering in association with the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge. This two-year part-time degree is designed as an advanced leadership programme for future leaders of the profession.

Our unique programme encompasses the full spectrum of the construction industry, drawing on the latest research in management, construction technologies and processes.

The course is delivered by world class academics as well as industry leaders and policy makers.

Students return to their respective companies trained as PHUFKDQWV RI FKDQJH UHDG\ WR UHGH¿QH WKH ZD\ LQ ZKLFK the infrastructure of society is created.

Sustainability, leadership, innovation, whole life performance and whole systems thinking are interwoven throughout the course. We are continually evolving to stay current and meet the needs of participants.

“There cannot be a course in any other discipline that manages to attract the level of industry experts DQG KLJK À\HUV DV ZHOO DV DFDGHPLFV WR GHOLYHU WR such small numbers. The quality, intensity and focus of the course are inspiring.”

- Student Feedback

Students currently spend a total of seven residential weeks in Cambridge during the two years of the course and become full members of Queens’ college.

Applicants are expected to have a minimum of three years professional experience and be able to demonstrate a track record of success in their careers.

www.construction.cam.ac.uk 40

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Architectural visualisation course to launch at RGU ‹ ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY

(RGU) will add an MSc in Visualisation for Architecture and the Built Environment to its portfolio this year, covering the rapid development of digital visualisation techniques in the industry, their implications for design, construction and collaboration and the ways in which they will impact on working practices.

The new course, which will start in September 2014, reflects the increasing use of building information modelling (BIM) and visualisation techniques within a rapidly changing industry – from 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry to planning visualisation and energy modelling.

Course leader, Professor Richard Laing, said: “The manner in which computers, digital models and virtual collaboration have been used in the construction industry has evolved rapidly in recent years.

“This has been partly at the behest of government policy, but has also been driven by contractors recognising the apparent benefits in terms of the construction process, supply chains and organisation.

“There are techniques emerging which will allow those involved in developing a site – whether they are an architect, urban planner or in construction – to develop full 3D models of the existing site using photographs and 3D scanning, in addition to traditional sketching and drawing.

“These techniques can be used together to produce material which is visually accessible, informative, and which can be produced in a cost effective manner.”

Another of RGU’s Masters courses offered by the Scott Sutherland School is an MSc in Construction Project Management. The course develops the interpersonal skills required for effective project management, while also

building up the judgmental, managerial and leadership qualities of students. It is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building.

Course leader, Rob Leslie, said: “This is the perfect course for those already in the industry who are looking to upskill in order to progress their career. We are seeing a lot of people, who already have a great deal of experience within the industry, using it as a springboard to progress to a managerial position – without a Masters qualification they wouldn’t be able to take that next step.” q • For more information and details on how to apply for these courses visit www.rgu.ac.uk.

Better Prospects? better apply to RGU

ENHANCE YOUR CAREER WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL COURSES: MSc Construction Project Management MSc Visualisation for Architecture and the Built Environment MSc Property Development

Apply Now 01224 263609 better@rgu.ac.uk www.rgu.ac.uk/buildmycareer www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Constructionarium – increasing employer engagement ‹ CONSTRUCTIONARIUM IS A practical

construction experience for students following built environment courses. Held over six days, students construct scaled down versions of bridges, buildings, dams, structures and civil engineering projects from around the world.

As the academic year draws to a close it is a good time to reflect on the year and Constructionarium’s valuable contribution to academia and the industry. 2013/14 has seen a record number of academic institutes take part in events held at either Constructionarium’s permanent site within the grounds of the National Construction College at Bircham Newton, Norfolk or at their hosted site based at Sibbald Training in Blackridge, Scotland.

Traditionally the sessions have been booked by UK higher education institutes and attendees this year have come from Abertay University, Anglia Ruskin University, Brunel University, Cambridge University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Greenwich, Heriot-Watt University, Imperial College London, Liverpool John Moores University, London South Bank University, Strathclyde University, University College London, University of Birmingham, University of East London, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham, University of Reading, University of Salford, University of Southampton and University of Westminster from the UK – as well as University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy and Rostov on Don University in Russia.

However, alongside Anglia Ruskin University, Brunel University and University of Reading attending for the first time this year, Constructionarium has also welcomed students from Chicago State University, Middle Tennessee State University and New Jersey Institute of Technology in the USA. In addition, UK further education and university technical colleges also attended for the first time this year as they want to ensure their students are work-ready as part of their course.

Constructionarium has sixteen projects in its portfolio which includes iconic and challenging civil engineering projects such as The Gherkin, Millau Cable Bridge, Nuclear Island, Naples Underground stations and Ravenspurn Oil Platform. Depending on the project, there are varying learning objectives, however all delegates gain an awareness and appreciation of site culture, safety behaviours and construction knowledge, alongside

The Gherkin is one of the sixteen projects in the Constructionarium portfolio gaining teamwork, communication, time management, budget control and project management skills. By the students in effect running their own construction company for a week, they are required to ensure that the work is completed on time, to budget and to a high standard as they are answerable to their ‘client’ during formal daily project review meetings.

It is interesting to see how the students mature and also connect with the theory they have received. For many of them, they experience the ‘light bulb’ moment when they realise that in order to solve the problem they need to think outside the box and challenge their assumptions, their information and each other. Luckily, industry partners are on hand to provide guidance and coaching when things go badly wrong. Industry partners are, for the purpose of the week, also the ‘client’ and have been known to be quite rigorous – and realistic – in the project review meetings.

This year, partners have included Atkins, ARUP, Balfour Beatty, Byrne Bros (Formwork) Ltd, Dunne Group Ltd, Expanded, Expedition Engineering, GB Building Solutions Ltd, Interserve Construction, Laing O’Rourke, P J Careys Ltd, Morrisroe, Ramboll, Robert Bird, Sir Robert McAlpine, Walsh Associates and Waterman Group plc. They have been joined by two new partners – Kier and Morgan Sindall. The ideal model consists of an academic institute, contractor and consulting engineer delivering the event in partnership

and new partners, including joint ventures, are always required and welcomed.

History has shown that where industry partners with a specific university the benefits can be invaluable – not only in raising the company’s awareness to students but also as a feeder into their emerging talent pipelines, whether they are seeking apprentices, summer or industrial placement students or graduate entrants. Companies are also able to use the model and facilities for their graduate induction week as it is a real way of embedding the organisation’s health and safety culture, company values and business standards through active learning – as well as being an excellent team building exercise.

Constructionarium, a not for profit organisation, is now in its eleventh year – having been established by Stef Stefanou (former Chairman of John Doyle), Chris Wise and Ed McCann to answer the call from industry to supply emerging talent with practical skills that support their academic studies. There have been over 10,000 students attending Constructionarium to date and many are now employed in the construction industry throughout the world. q • For more information, please contact Robin Holdsworth, scheme manager on admin@ constructionarium.co.uk or Julia Stevens, development manager via jstevens@ constructionarium.co.uk or 07950 686 596. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Build your future at the University of East London With the UK construction industry continuing to boom, the demand for skilled graduates is on the up. Now is a great time to start studying for an undergraduate degree with UEL’s School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) and prepare yourself for a career in this diverse sector.

Academic reputation

“The Foundation Studies in Engineering at UEL gave me the opportunity to accomplish my dreams of studying at university for a ^VYSK^PKL YLJVNUPZLK X\HSPÄJH[PVU VM ),UN (Hons) Civil Engineering. During my studies I was successful in being awarded a prestigious Thames Water Engineering scholarship which gave me invaluable experience of the construction industry from within.

Whilst studying on the degree programme I gained professional experience within the construction industry through summer placements, mentoring schemes and a year long industrial placement all aided and TVUP[VYLK I` [OL Z[Hќ H[ [OL <UP]LYZP[` I graduated with an upper second class honours degree in Civil Engineering and along the way gained prizes in design and project management competitions.

The above wouldn’t be possible without support from my lecturers and tutors who were not only amazing at their jobs as lecturers but also as mentors opening the doors of opportunity and personal development for me.

0 NYHK\H[LK ^P[O [OYLL QVI VќLYZ JVUÄKLUJL a sound technical knowledge and a feeling of self accomplishment.

Having graduated, I am now working for Canary Wharf Contractors Limited as an Assistant Project Manager, responsible for managing a multi-million pound project covering structural works forming part of Canary Wharf Crossrail Station infrastructure.

This includes demolition, piling and construction of a promenade and station boardwalk.”

Barbara Czajka BEng (Hons) Assistant Project Manager – Structural Canary Wharf Contractors Limited

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UEL has over 100 years experience of teaching engineering and construction-related courses. We have developed degree courses [OH[ YLÅLJ[ J\YYLU[ PUK\Z[Y` WYHJ[PJLZ HUK NP]L students the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of engineering applications and learning skills. Our reputation, together with our excellent links with industry ensures our graduates are highly sought after. ACE students not only value the academic quality of their course and the excellent facilities, but also the friendly atmosphere and the relaxed environment in which they study.

Our construction, civil engineering, and surveying courses will provide you with skills HUK RUV^SLKNL LUHISPUN `V\ [V IL LќLJ[P]L in the construction industry. We aim to develop and support our students as fully as possible, so that they are prepared to meet the challenges they will face in the construction industry environment.

Professional accreditation Our undergraduate courses are accredited by some of the largest professional bodies in the construction sector, including The Institution of Civil Engineers, The Institution of Structural Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)).

ACE construction courses available: • BSc (Hons) Construction Management • FdSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management • MEng Civil Engineering (New from September 2014) • BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering • BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering • BSc (Hons) Surveying and Mapping Sciences

• MSc Civil Engineering • MSc Structural Engineering • BSc(Hons) Civil Engineering and Surveying

Supporting your studies Employability services

The School of Architecture Computing and Engineering at UEL has a dedicated Employability and Placements service that provides students with a wide variety of VWWVY[\UP[PLZ [V LUOHUJL [OLPY ZRPSSZ I` VќLYPUN internships, industrial placements, one-on-one careers sessions, employability workshops, guest lectures, networking sessions and more.

Scholarships and bursaries Progress bursary UEL are excited to announce a new enhanced Progress Bursary scheme worth £1,200.

The scheme is open to all new Home/EU undergraduate students starting in September 2014 and 2015. Whether you’re full or part [PTL `V\ JHU ILULÄ[ MYVT [OPZ H^HYK Over the course of your studies, we will give you: • A brand new Galaxy Note 8 Tablet • Free core e-text books for every module you study • £900 of credit to spend on study related items (paid in instalments of £300 per year of study) Going Global UEL’s Going Global bursary is an exciting scheme that enables students to apply for funding for short overseas study visits.

Adding an international dimension to your degree is a great way to enhance a CV and give you a competitive advantage after you graduate.

For further information visit uel.ac.uk/constructionnational

Scotland’s academic centrepiece for construction industry is unveiled ‹ THE SCOTTISH CONSTRUCTION

industry is benefiting from a new £7.5m Construction Scotland Innovation Centre.

Founded in March this year, it is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and supported

by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and 11 Scottish universities.

Edinburgh Napier University carries out the administration of the centre.

Ed Monaghan, chair of Construction Scotland, said: “With construction strongly influencing the quality of the environment in which we all live and work, it is essential that developments taking shape on projects around the country are connected to the academic capability and innovation in our higher education sector as this will ensure that an innovative culture pervades our industry. This is essential to the future of construction here in Scotland as we increasingly respond to stringent sustainability agendas and new market opportunities both here and abroad.”

The centre will provide the 31,000 plus businesses involved in the sector in Scotland

with a one-stop shop for accessing a team of academic experts and industry support, helping to maximise long-term economic growth.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The construction industry underpins all of Scotland’s key sectors and therefore underpins the success of our whole economy. Construction Scotland was established some 18 months ago to become the voice of the construction industry here in Scotland. It is particularly pleasing to see their efforts in bringing together the wide variety of professions and trades it represents – as well as academia and the public sector – and there’s no doubt that this new Innovation Centre will ensure that everyone involved works ever more collaboratively to achieve our goals and aspirations for the sector.”

The centre recently embarked on a search for a chief executive to lead, direct and manage its resources and partner institutions, and achieve the goals set out in its five year plan. The role will focus on leading and promoting the centre, helping to create a

step change in the innovation landscape in Scottish construction.

Bill McBride, interim chair of the Innovation Centre, said: “Recent projects delivered in Scotland prove that we have the innovation and capability to deliver collaboratively and creatively on exemplar schemes such as the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village, the M74 completion and the Forth Replacement Crossing – but these are not the norm and it’s that mind-set we need to move towards.

“The CEO of the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre has a key role to play in contributing towards the industry achieving this culture change, bringing academic experts, professions and trades together to work towards a more innovative, sustainable and profitable sector here in Scotland and beyond.” q

Start your journey in construction management at UEL this September UEL’s School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) has limited places to study full- or part-time (day release) on construction, surveying and engineering courses starting this September including: • BSc (Hons) Construction Management • FdSc Civil Engineering and Construction Management • MEng Civil Engineering (New from September 2014) • BEng Civil Engineering • BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering and Surveying

• BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering • BSc (Hons) Surveying and Mapping Sciences • MSc Civil Engineering • MSc Structural Engineering

Many of our courses are accredited by professional bodies and students have the opportunity to take part in placements at leading industry companies including Atkins, BBMV (Balfour Beatty, BeMo Tunnelling, Morgan Sindall & Vinci) delivering Crossrail, Skanska, Watermans, London Borough of Newham, Survey Solutions and Wilmot Dixon.

Find out more Email: study@uel.ac.uk

Call: 020 8223 3333

Online: uel.ac.uk/constructionnational

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MidKent College, Medway Campus A leading learning and training provider MidKent College is one of Kent’s largest education and training providers with centres in Medway and Maidstone.

Each year, its tutors deliver thousands of qualifications to people living and working both locally and beyond.

The College offers training for apprentices in Building Services Engineering: Electrical, Plumbing, Environmental, Gas, Heating and a full range of courses in a wide range of vocational and academic subjects from Brickwork to Welding – enabling learners to study at the level that’s right for them, whether they’re a new entrant, an apprentice, a returning candidate or looking for a higher qualification or Certificate update. Stand alone units can also be provided to allow progress into work or improving skills.

Courses cover a range of programmes in Building Services Engineering, Renewables and Sustainable Installations, from entry level to level three.

The College is also a BPEC Gas Assessment Centre, offering Gas Applicance Certificates and delivering Solar Thermal, UFH and renewable energy programmes.

The College also delivers assessments in all Gas Specialist subjects currently required by operatives, including those in gas regulations and appliances. Unvented Hot Water; Water, Building Regulations and CSCS (H&S). Certificates in Electrical Inspection and Testing are also offered, along with PAT testing and 17th Edition Certificates.

For more information see our website www.midkent.ac.uk or call the Course Information Line on 01634 402020

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Apprenticeships to be debated by cross-party commission

‹ THINK-TANK DEMOS IS LAUNCHING a cross-party commission to bolster the business

case for increasing both the quality and quantity of apprenticeships. The initiative is supported by construction industry training body CITB. The Commission on Apprenticeships, which will focus its work on the construction sector, will be co-chaired by Conservative MP Robert Halfon and Labour Peer Lord Glasman. The commission will bring together policy experts, training providers and business leaders.

The commission’s co-chairs have kicked off the project by issuing a challenge to Government and businesses saying apprenticeships in industries such as construction need to reach the next level if Britain is to succeed in the ‘global race’.

Analysis by CITB has revealed that in the construction industry alone 120,000 apprentices will be needed over the next five years to avoid the emergence of a damaging skills gap.

But the number of young people successfully completing apprenticeships in the sector has dropped since the financial crisis. In 2008/09 14,250 young people in England completed an apprenticeship, compared with just 8,630 in 2011/12.

Demos researchers have calculated that increasing the number of apprentices in England to catch up with similar economies would boost Britain's GDP by £4bn a year.

The Commission will investigate: • How to increase the appetite for apprenticeships, both among young people and employers • How to ensure the quality of British apprenticeships is world-leading • How to ensure public money is spent efficiently whilst minimising red tape Robert Halfon MP said: “The best way to improve living standards is to help people earn more.

High quality apprenticeships do just that – better skills lead to better wages.

“As the first MP to take on an apprentice, I know how important an opportunity it can be to someone starting out in work. Expanding that opportunity to young people across Britain would not only be a huge benefit to them but also to the construction industry and the economy as a whole.”

Lord Glasman commented: “Apprenticeships have a proud tradition in Britain that needs renewing.

At their best, apprenticeships help people learn from others, build a sense of vocation and deliver work of real quality. Construction is a key sector for Britain, so it is vital senior politicians support it and the future of people working in it.”

Stephen Radley, director of policy and strategic planning at CITB, added: “Construction is in a race for talent that we are only going to win with fresh ideas and fresh thinking. That’s why we are supporting this vital work to drive quality apprenticeship numbers across construction.” q

Construction industry suffering alone ‹ THE SKILLS SHORTAGE in the

construction industry has been thrown into sharp relief by figures published in June showing a continued increase in popularity of apprenticeship schemes in other sectors.

The latest research shows that between March 2013 and the same month of this year, the number of 16 to 17 year-olds entering apprenticeship programmes jumped from 41,738 to 49,228 – an increase of around 15%. Eight out of nine of the English regions covered by the research saw improvements in terms of the number of young people in training or education.

Business Secretary Vince Cable addressed the situation regarding the construction industry at the Construction Summit in July.

“The construction industry has lost 350,000 people, many of them highly skilled,” he said. “Many won’t come back – they have dropped out of the labour market.”

He commented: “It’s worth noting that construction is the only sector of the economy where apprenticeships have declined in the past couple of years, everywhere else apprenticeships have boomed.”

When asked what his main message to the construction industry was, he added: “If I was to pick one area as a key priority it would be skills – what could bring the sector’s recovery to a shuddering halt, is a lack of skill.”

According to the National Audit Office (NAO), a financial boost of £18 is provided to the UK economy for every £1 which the Government decides to invest in apprenticeships.

The NAO said that the figure is even stronger, at £28, when the wider benefits associated with apprenticeship schemes are factored in to the equation. q

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edudo helps construction worker achieve top qualification ‹ A CONSTRUCTION WORKER from Rochdale is celebrating after

achieving one of the highest site-based qualifications in the sector.

David Letts, who works as a site manager with global construction and engineering company Laing O’Rourke, has been awarded Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management (Building and Civil Engineering Pathway) after completing a six-month course.

The training was delivered by national vocational education provider edudo, which specialises in helping people to launch and then develop their careers.

The award places David amongst a small but growing number of construction personnel in the UK who are taking personal development to a new professional level through post graduate degree equivalent qualifications.

During the course David demonstrated his abilities in managing a team, controlling resources and planning, in addition to an awareness of environment and sustainability issues.

Of his qualification, David said: “It’s a real point of pride for me to achieve Level 6, as it’s a way of officially acknowledging all my years of experience and skills built up over that time. I would definitely recommend others in construction to go for one of these qualifications, as they make the work all the more rewarding and are recognised by the industry.”

Managing director of edudo Ronan Smith said: “Our association with David’s learning and development within Laing O’Rourke first started with delivery of his Level 3 award some years ago. So his latest achievement is the well-deserved product of his many years in hands-on

David Letts (left) receives his certificate from Laing O’Rourke managing director of infrastructure Gary Wells site management as well as the culture of commitment to learning and development that exists at Laing O’Rourke.

“Reaching this exceptional level of qualification offers great commercial advantage to both David and his employer, because they can rightly tell clients that they are the best in the sector.”

Tom Shaw, head of learning and development at Laing O’Rourke, said: “At Laing O’Rourke we place a great emphasis on the importance of investing in our people, through our various talent programmes, training and qualifications like David’s as well as other development opportunities.” q • For more information call 0330 2020 203.

Skills shortages affecting recovery, FMB warns ‹ THE LATEST INDUSTRY body to warn of the impact on the

recovery of skills shortages in the building industry is the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Commenting on the results of the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for the second quarter of 2014, its chief executive Brian Berry said: “More than a third of construction SMEs tell us that they are struggling to recruit the bricklayers they need to stay on top of their workloads. Plasterers are almost as difficult to come by, with 27% of firms saying they are having difficulty finding these skilled tradesmen.

“The results act as a stark warning that the government must not take the recovery in the construction sector for granted. Although this snapshot of small construction firms marks the fifth consecutive quarter of positive results, if we don’t have enough of the right people to complete the work, private and public projects could be stalled across the board.”

He concluded: “Looking ahead, construction SMEs are still hugely concerned about the impact of the government’s apprenticeship funding reforms. If they are implemented as proposed, most micro-businesses – which currently train two-thirds of all construction apprentices – are likely to stop hiring apprentices altogether.

“CITB forecast that 182,000 new UK jobs are expected to be created in the construction industry by 2018, so this is not the time to jeopardise the ability of small firms to continue their proud history of training apprentices. Not only would this be disastrous for the construction sector itself, it would also be disastrous for the wider economy which is largely relying on construction and housing to drive the recovery.” q

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Randstad CPE sponsor brickwork apprentice award ‹ RANDSTAD CPE WERE PROUD to support the Highbury College

Construction Awards 2014 by sponsoring the Brickwork Apprentice of the Year 2014. Jack Musselwhite, 18, of Portsmouth won the prestigious award on 27th June for his hard work, effort and attitude. Jack received a voucher from Jason Clements, branch manager at Randstad CPE, to purchase construction tools and equipment from All Clothing and Protection.

Jason commented: “As one of the largest construction, property and engineering recruiters in the UK and seeing an upturn in the residential and construction markets there are national shortages for skilled trades people. Apprenticeships are vital to bring back skills such as bricklaying, carpentry and plumbing and we are pleased to be supporting the awards”.

The Groundwork Apprentice of the Year 2014 was sponsored by All Clothing and Protection. Ollie Newman, 18, of Portsmouth won the award and All Clothing vouchers which were presented by Colin Whale, director.

Highbury College is one of the top providers of construction training in Hampshire and is a CITB Approved Assessment Centre providing nearly 50 types of apprenticeships at intermediate, advanced and higher levels. q • For more information visit the website at www.randstadcpe.com.

Pictured left to right: Dee John, executive director at Highbury College, Jack Musselwhite and Jason Clements, branch manager at Randstad CPE

Management of training and assessment programmes giving HR managers headaches ‹ THE WORLD OF vocational qualifications has become increasingly

complex and difficult to manage since the introduction of the Qualification Credit Framework. So too have the support funding mechanisms – especially for small firms who have a tendency to operate more in the niche markets and awards than the traditional high volume, high turn-over or ‘biblical’ awards.

All this can make life very difficult for managers – so where is such a manager to find help and relief? It is in this area that The Morley-Young Partnership (MYP) excels, having over twenty years of experience across a wide range of qualifications. To address this need, they provide a ‘one-stopshop’ support and management programme, thereby allowing the manager to get on with the job of actually managing his company and making a profit.

The ever changing world of regulatory control, contractual demands to demonstrate a fully qualified workforce and the continuing requirements of the HSA, not to mention the upcoming changes to the CDM regulations, all place ever increasing obligations upon the already over-worked manager.

Likewise, SFA (Skills Funding Agency) funding is shifting (or indeed has shifted) towards the young and college based students, making it very difficult for the average construction company to find support to qualify its workforce.

Whilst a young apprentice under 19 might attract up to £8,000, the older, highly experienced grizzled operator, who needs to be qualified to meet contractual requirements, might only attract £300 to £400!

Even though it has had its own funding cut, CITB continues to find new and innovative ways to support the construction industry, particularly for the smaller companies who, after all, are the industry’s mainstay, through such programmes as SUPS. If your company has a wage bill of less than £80,000, you qualify for all the grants and have to pay nothing. Up to £100,000 there is a 50% reduction on the levy, and it is only over this figure that the full fee (0.5% for PAYE and 1.5% for LOSC) is payable. For instance, one of the more esoteric and niche awards could attract over £600 plus supplementary grants – and SUPS can attract up to £3,500!

The expertise and experience of MYP means that they can supply a total package designed to meet all your NVQ Diploma management and training requirements. They can offer consultancy, training and assessment

to help develop your staff and enable them to both implement and gain NVQ Diplomas efficiently and effectively. If you work in an area that is too specialised to have a recognisable award, they can work with you to formulate such an award and then they have it accredited through a nationally recognised awarding body. q

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49

Electrical safety group welcomes new Competent Person scheme â&#x20AC;š THE ELECTRICAL SAFETY ROUNDTABLE (ESR) has welcomed the

launch of a new Registered Competent Person scheme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a search facility and mark designed to provide a single point of reference for consumers looking for an electrician. It described the initiative as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;an important milestone for the electrical industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The industry group, which includes participants from the Chief Fire Officers Association, City and Guilds, Local Authority Building Control, the NAPIT Trade Association and other influential stakeholders, has been an outspoken proponent of the need to raise consumer awareness and the importance of using a registered, competent electrician since its inaugural Westminster meeting in June 2012.

Chris Bielby MBE, who chairs the Roundtable, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Choosing a registered, competent electrician remains the simplest and also one of the most effective ways of ensuring electrical safety in the home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the very first meeting of the ESR, concerns regarding a lack of customer awareness were a common theme and it was noted that the lack of a central brand that consumers could recognise was a fundamental issue that needed to be addressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The launch of a single register where the consumer can search for all full scope Part P-registered, competent electricians in England and Wales in one place dramatically simplifies the task of finding a local installer who has demonstrated their ability to work safely to legally required standards.â&#x20AC;? q

Despite falling figures, the workplace is still considered unsafe â&#x20AC;š ACCORDING TO figures from the Health and Safety Executive,

the number of fatal injuries in the construction industry has fallen. The annual workplace injury statistics released last December by the HSE showed a strong decline in workplace accidents. However, with 148 workers killed at work last year the workplace is still considered as unsafe.

RIS Consultants, based in Birkenhead, aim to help you to keep your business and your project team safe by creating a safer environment

for your workforce. They provide all aspects of Health and Safety consultancy for the construction industry, from risk assessment to training.

According to managing director Sean Rintoul: â&#x20AC;&#x153;By working together we believe we can achieve safety in numbers in the industry.â&#x20AC;? q â&#x20AC;˘ For further information call 0151 608 0023 or visit the website at www.risgroup.co.uk.

FreeYourTime 8JUI PVS )FBMUI 4BGFUZ $PNQFUBOU 1FSTPO 1BDLBHF

Appoint RIS Consultants (NW) Ltd as your competent H&S Advisor with telephone and email advice and support c %BZ IFBMUI BOE TBGFUZ DPNQMJBODF DIFDL 3JTL BOE $04)) "TTFTTNFOU 3FWJFX BOOVBMMZ

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Drugs and alcohol costing industry dear ‹ EACH YEAR, DRUGS and alcohol cost

British businesses 17 million working days and more than £6bn in lost productivity. That is according to figures produced by Compass, the organisation that specialises in helping people to tackle substance abuse.

Furthermore, one quarter of all drug users and three quarters of all alcoholics are in work and one in four workplace accidents are drug or alcohol related. In the construction sector specifically, alcohol misuse is estimated to affect 90% of firms.

According to the HSE: “Drug and other substance misuse is everyone's concern. In the context of work, not only does it damage the misuser's health, but it can cost employers through absenteeism and reduced productivity.

It may also increase the risk of accidents.

Employers should adopt a substance misuse policy, in consultation with their staff.

“This policy should aim to support affected employees rather than punish them, though your policy must say that possession or dealing in drugs at work will be reported immediately

to the police. If an employee admits to being a drug user, your policy should seek to help them rather than lead simply to dismissing them.”

On alcohol the HSE has this to say: “While for many people drinking alcohol is a positive part of life and does not cause any problems, the misuse of alcohol can lead to reduced productivity, taking time off work and accidents at work. Employers should adopt an alcohol policy, in consultation with their staff.” q

HSE seeks views on proposed changes ‹ THE HSE IS INVITING views on the proposed definitions of those self-employed people who

will continue to have duties under health and safety law. Under current proposals, self-employed persons will be exempt from Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) apart from those undertaking activities on a prescribed list.

On 7 July the HSE launched an online consultation that explains the prescribed activities, as well as seeking views on the proposed definitions. The consultation closes on 31 August.

Prescribed activities include those where there is a European Union obligation to retain the general duty on self-employed persons, for example at temporary or mobile construction sites.

Sarah Wadham from the HSE said: “We are keen to hear from self-employed people who carry out these prescribed activities. Health and safety law will still apply to them and we need to ensure that legal definitions are clear and easy for them to understand.” q

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51

Health and safety show goes global ‹ THE UK’S FOREMOST health and safety event – Safety & Health Expo – took place on 17-19 June. The latest show further cemented its reputation as the flagship safety event in the country.

In addition to the exhibition, the event included over 55 hours of free CPD seminar content, offering unrivalled educational opportunities.

NHBC H&S winners announced ‹ ON 4 JULY THE NHBC announced the winners in its annual Health

and Safety awards at a special ceremony in Birmingham. The national, regional and highly commended winners in the Best Site Awards were announced, as were the winners in the Special Awards categories for Best Health and Safety Specialist Leadership, Best Health and Safety Strategic Leadership and Best Occupational Health Initiative.

Primarily designed to recognise and reward the very best in health and safety, the awards are also helping to drive up safety standards in the industry by showcasing and sharing best practice.

The national winners in the four builder categories for best site were: • Small Builder – Craig Shankley of Dawn Homes Ltd • Medium Builder – Max Perrin of Kier Homes Ltd • Large Builder – Kirk Raine of David Wilson Mercia • Multistorey – Darren Eyles of Crest Nicholson SW In the Special Awards categories, Lend Lease won Best Occupational Health Initiative, Stewart Milne Group scooped the Best Health and Safety Strategic Leadership Award and Bellway Plc won the Best Health and Safety Specialist Leadership Award. q

Running alongside the show was the annual conference of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Eager to benefit from strategic global insights, influential case studies and outstanding networking opportunities, over 700 health and safety practitioners attended this year’s show.

The three-day programme featured 80 internationally renowned speakers and 36 hot sessions themed around ‘inspiring leadership’.

New for 2014 were: • CEOs’ panel session – Health and safety makes good business • sense with City of London, AmicusHorizon and Northern • Powergrid • The big debate – Deregulation: evading responsibility or doing • the ‘right’ thing?

• CoreSkills+ workshops – incorporated into the conference agenda • as well as in a dedicated programme There were also sessions devoted to global risk strategies led by internationally renowned speakers.

The show has a growing reputation internationally with over 20% of exhibitors this year coming from outside the UK. In response the show has rebranded to Safety & Health International. With new zones for 2015 including occupational health, construction safety and PPE/workwear, next year is already set to be a record breaker. q

Skytec Aria – new test confirms glove’s exceptional durability ‹ THE ARIA GLOVE, from the Globus Skytec range, has achieved top marks for EU

standard EN 388:2003, providing added reassurance to customers of their protection from mechanical risk. The glove, which has a NFT™ nitrile foam palm, recently achieved 25,000 cycles in the EN 388 abrasion resistance test.

The test, by an independent research and testing organisation, was carried out to quantify wearer claims that the gloves simply lasted and lasted….far beyond anything they’d ever used before.

This result confirmed Aria as level 4 for abrasion resistance – the maximum that can be achieved in accordance with EN 388:2003. However, unlike standard EN 388 testing, the company continued with the abrasion test to see just how long the glove would last. After 25,000 cycles the machine was shut down, though the glove was still up to the challenge! To put this test result into context, the minimum number of cycles needed to achieve the level 4 abrasion resistance is only 8,000.

Complimented by features such as exceptional breathability and comfort, the additional durability highlights Skytec Aria as a glove that workers are happy to wear for long periods when carrying out a multitude of manual handling tasks in dry, wet or oily environments – dramatically reducing expensive down time and improving productivity.

Commenting about the result, Steve Shale, marketing manager for Globus said: “We know that our customers who currently use Aria have been extremely pleased with the glove’s all round performance, as well as the value that it offers. In the abrasion test itself, the machine was shut down after 25,000 cycles, so who knows just how far it could have gone!” q • For more information visit www.globus.co.uk or call 0161 877 4747.

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Skytec Aria – the multi-purpose glove with a nitrile foam palm that goes on and on and on

Tech Startup BaseStone gathers pace in construction industry with launch of new app

‹ BASESTONE, A TECH startup from East

London’s Tech City, has launched its web and tablet app to the construction market, following successful trials on Crossrail and High Speed 2 (HS2).

BaseStone aims to solve an industry-wide problem – that of lost data leading to abortive work on construction projects. Large enterprises and SMEs share many drawings and documents throughout the lifecycle of a construction project and BaseStone makes this task simpler.

It enables architects and engineers to inspect, snag, share and review documents and drawings online. Unlike traditional software for construction, everything is automatically saved to the cloud. Everyone has access to the latest versions, all commentary can be aggregated in real time and users can track issues raised throughout a project.

In line with government targets for 2025, to reduce the cost of construction projects by 33% and time taken to completion by 50%, the app aims to increase efficiency and save money.

Trialling on such massive construction projects as HS2 and Crossrail is unusual for a 5 person startup but according to Alex Siljanovski, CEO and founder of BaseStone: “Originally we only targeted SMEs to trial our offering, until we discovered that the larger the company was, the larger the problem we solve.”

BaseStone is currently live with major construction companies Costain and Skanska on the £16bn Crossrail project, who are using it to red-line drawings, snag installations and run safety inspections on site.

It is proving just as popular amongst SMEs with hundreds of users and dozens of companies across the UK having tested it.

According to Thornton Reynolds, an SME customer: “BaseStone has proved to be an invaluable tool to allow us to distribute design information, with the iPad tech interface being really useful to review drawings”.

BaseStone aims to transform how data is captured and dealt with in construction. Alex Siljanovski commented: “The opportunity

to take data from an environment as rich as construction and turn it into usable information is immense, and is being driven by the UK’s development of new BIM standards. What we have tried to do is create a tool that solves an industry wide problem, at a price that is affordable to the smallest contractor, and a product that is scalable to the largest projects.”

When asked what had been the greatest learning to date in his journey, he continued: “It is the encouragement and feedback we have received from the industry itself. The transparent pricing, the software as a service model and the desire to change the industry for the better has all been greatly received.

We need as much feedback as possible from the industry. At the end of the day, we want to build not just a tool that the industry needs, but one that it deserves and has helped shape.” q • You can find out more about BaseStone and sign up for your free trial at www.basestone.io.

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Are you considering taking on agency staff as employees following changes to the Finance Act? ‹ COMPANIES IN MORE manual industries such as construction, manufacturing, logistics

and catering are now weighing up the cost of engaging operatives through intermediary agencies due to the significant costs imposed by the changes to the Finance Act this April.

The move by the Government was to raise more than £1bn per year in taxes by preventing recruitment and payroll agencies from placing operatives on long term repeat contracts. The consequence of this, typically, is that businesses will start to see an increase in resource costs of around 15% as the agencies have to employ people who work on long term contracts, typically of more than 12 weeks, for the same employer.

Andrew Wilson, director of employment law at THSP Risk Management Services says: “At THSP we are seeing many of our clients thinking about taking such operatives on as employees of their own as they adopt the control that remains with the agency. Many employers face confusion over the legislation in the differences between employees and workers, as well as understanding what rights they may be entitled to, such as paid leave”.

“There are many different types of contract to consider and businesses would be wise to seek professional help in understanding the Finance Act and in drafting the most relevant contracts.” R • For further information and a free no obligation chat and quote call THSP on 08456 122 144 or visit www.thsp.co.uk.

Andrew Wilson, director of employment law at THSP Risk Management Services

RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Risk Management Specialists • Health and Safety Consultancy • Employment Law Consultancy • Environmental Compliance • advice to all sizes and types of business throughout the UK. The complete solu�on to all your business compliance needs.

08456 122 144 or visit www.thsp.co.uk

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Government rejects land disposal claim ‹ THE GOVERNMENT HAS rejected claims that its Infrastructure

Bill includes measures deliberately designed to make it easy for the Homes and Communities Agency to dispose of public land to developers with virtually no community involvement and bypassing the planning system.

The claim was made by campaign group 38 Degrees in an e-petition.

The row surfaced as the Bill, which includes the Government’s latest legislative proposals to reform the planning system and establish a new-look Highways Agency, went to committee stage following its second reading in the Lords.

In a response published on GOV.UK, the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “Contrary to the claims, the changes in the Bill have nothing to do with the local authority planning system and make absolutely no change to the existing requirements for planning permission.

“The changes relate to a technical point of land law, ensuring that people who buy surplus or redundant public sector property from the Homes and Communities Agency have the same powers as those who buy from certain other public bodies.

“Some public bodies, like local authorities, have long been able to override easements and covenants affecting their land, and people who buy property from them have also been able to do the same.

The changes seek to put the Homes and Communities Agency,

Mayoral Development Corporations and the Greater London Authority on the same long-standing basis that local authorities, housing action trusts and urban development corporations already operate within.

“The predecessor to the Homes and Communities Agency, English Partnerships, also had these legal powers, but the 2008 Act which created the Homes and Communities Agency unintentionally did not pass across those rights. This provision in the Bill simply corrects this oversight.”

The statement added: “No property will be transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency without the consent of the government department or agency that owns it, and only property that has been classified as surplus will be eligible for transfer.

“The aim is to remove excessive bureaucracy to make it easier for more new homes to be built on brownfield land.”

As well as those changes, the Bill includes further reforms to the Planning Act 2008 regime, proposals over the discharge of planning conditions and measures affecting the Land Registry and local land charges. R

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Concrete scientist welcomes revised Part L regs â&#x20AC;š ON 6 APRIL THE 2013 edition of Part L1A of the Building

Regulations for new homes came into force, following a six month delay.

They are reasonably pragmatic and the required performance can be achieved with concrete and masonry solutions, according to Tom De Saulles, building physicist at the Concrete Centre.

De Saulles says in an article on the Concrete Centre website: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two years ago the government was considering a further 19% cut in the Part L1A emissions target which, if introduced, would have relied on the use of low carbon heat/power systems such as photovoltaics. The Department for Communities and Local Government has listened to the consultations and reason, and the target has been set at a more modest 6%, reflecting economic concerns and a need to encourage, not hinder, house-building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In practical terms the new emissions target can be met without the need for costly technologies, but does require a high standard of fabric performance to be achieved. However, the level of performance needed,

Art deco gem has concrete façade repaired

is readily achievable with current materials and methods of construction, albeit with a greater emphasis on reducing thermal bridging.â&#x20AC;?

Alongside the revised Target Emissions Rate (TER) a new requirement has been introduced called the Target Fabric Energy Efficiency (TFEE), which sets a minimum standard for fabric performance. That underpins the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fabric firstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; approach to reducing emissions by ensuring new homes cannot rely too heavily on low-carbon heat/power systems to achieve compliance.

Tom De Saulles explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The way the Standard Assessment Procedure sets targets has changed slightly, with the TER and TFEE both based upon the performance of a newly-defined notional dwelling, which has a fixed specification for U-values, psi-values and heating, referred to as the Elemental Recipe. In setting the energy target, the calculated performance of the notional dwelling is increased by 15% to produce the TFEE. This is to be welcomed as it provides some design flexibility for the fabric performance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Providing the TER and TFEE targets are satisfied and the existing fabric backstops are not exceeded, housebuilders are free to create their own fabric and services specification in the usual way. For those unsure of where to start, there is the option of simply adopting wholesale the Elemental Recipe, offering a straightforward way to ensure compliance from the outset. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whether it is implemented as it stands or is tweaked slightly to provide a more cost-effective and practical specification, the new Elemental Recipe provides a good starting point for housebuilders that is simple to work with and not overly prescriptive.â&#x20AC;? q

â&#x20AC;š SUBSTANTIAL REPAIRS HAVE been carried out to the concrete façade of an art deco apartment block on Brighton seafront. Astra House was built in 1938 and decades of exposure to salt spray had corroded the reinforcement in the pre-cast concrete façade panels, causing spalling of the concrete. Despite several repairs over the years cracks continued to appear, eventually causing pieces of concrete to fall from the building.

Contractor Constructive Solutions carried out a survey to establish what repairs were required and they were then contracted to remove the damaged concrete and debris and to carry out the necessary repairs to the panels.

After removal and replacement of all reinforcement, RonaBond HB40 high-build repair mortar from Ronacrete was used to reinstate the concrete in the façade panels. Ronacreteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RonaBond Flowable Micro Concrete was then used to re-form damaged sills.

Brightonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own writer on building issues, Robert Nemeth, described the building thus: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is still some way to go before Astra House is recognised in the same way that others of its era have beenâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? Of the restoration programme he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is going to be a long process but it will be worth it.â&#x20AC;? q

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Successful concrete repair Before awarding a concrete repair project, all involved should understand the mechanisms for failure of concrete as well as the repair techniques available, says the Structural Concrete Alliance

‹ CONCRETE IS AN EXTREMELY successful construction material that is

Repair techniques range from hand or spray applied flowable mortars, grouts or concretes

versatile, relatively low in cost and readily available. However, with many of the UK’s existing concrete structures dating from the 1960s and 70s, a number of them are now showing significant signs of deterioration and are in need of repair.

To assist consultants, authorities, surveyors and engineers with responsibility for awarding maintenance and refurbishment contracts, the Structural Concrete Alliance offers a range of guidance, presentations and seminars, which provide important advice on mechanisms for failure, methods of concrete repair and contractor selection.

The Concrete Repair Association’s popular CPD presentation, The Route to Successful Concrete Repair, provides an essential introduction to concrete repair, emphasising overall considerations to be taken into account when undertaking a project and providing a very useful guideline to the best approach to be adopted.

The presentation, which can be delivered to clients on site at a time to suit, introduces the mechanisms for failure associated with concrete, the methods for diagnosis of the problem and repair techniques.

Concrete repair considerations Before any repair is undertaken, it is important that a thorough investigation of the nature and extent of the damage is carried out so that the causes, as well as the symptoms, can be treated. In most cases, the underlying causes of a problem will be due to degradation of the concrete matrix or corrosion of the reinforcement.

Visual inspection of the damage is insufficient and more thorough testing will be required. Testing procedures include: visual survey, hammer testing, chloride testing, reinforcement cover assessment, half-cell potential surveys and carbonation testing using phenolphthalein to test the penetration of carbonation.

Once the cause of the damage and the client’s requirements for the site are understood, a specification for the repair work can be developed. Material appropriate to the repair must be selected, based on required performance and project characteristics, so the choice of repair method and material requires specialist knowledge and experience.

Before any specification can be made, an evaluation of the products that could be used and careful assessment of possible contractors is necessary.

Due consideration should be given to manufacturer and contractor track records. Industry and third party accreditations to BS EN 9001and BS EN 14001, CHAS, Constructionline, Exor, etc should be demanded, together with manufacturer recommendations and approvals, third party references and similar considerations.

The repair process also involves several stages. Firstly, and extremely important is preparation, cleaning and breaking out of the deteriorated concrete.

For items that are of structural importance such as load bearing elements, advice must be sought from a structural engineer. Steel reinforcement must be cleaned and protected appropriately before the area is primed and reinstated.

The choice of repair technique is also important. There are several methods, ranging from hand applied, spray applied or flowable mortars, grouts and concretes. Fairing coats can be used to give repaired areas a clean, smooth and uniform surface, whilst protective coatings provide protection, increased resistance to future deterioration and offer an attractive finish.

Maintenance of the structure post repair is another essential element of the overall rehabilitation process, to ensure that repaired areas perform to specification and achieve the necessary residual service life.

All repairs should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of BS EN 1504 which addresses all stages of the repair process. However, though it provides a framework, BS EN 1504 does not guarantee a successful repair,

since only a qualified and experienced professional can ensure the right material has been selected and that it has been applied properly.

Getting it right first time While various builders and contractors may claim to be able to conduct concrete repairs, those involved in the maintenance and refurbishment of reinforced concrete must be aware that, unless contractors have the necessary specialist knowledge and experience, it is unlikely that repairs carried out will be safe, fit for purpose and durable.

This is where selecting a member of the one of the associations that make up the Structural Concrete Alliance can help to ensure that repairs are completed properly, are fit for purpose and appropriate to the service life expectations for the building or structure.

The Structural Concrete Alliance is an umbrella organisation which brings together the Concrete Repair Association (CRA), Corrosion Prevention Association (CPA) and Sprayed Concrete Association (SCA) to provide a single co-ordinated voice for the structural concrete refurbishment and repair industry.

For concrete repairs, members of the Concrete Repair Association offer independent advice, technical expertise and exceptional service. All CRA members are BS EN ISO 90001 and BS EN ISO 14001 accredited, can demonstrate a proven track record and capability and comply with the CRA’s stringent codes of practice. This is why many clients specify membership of the CRA as a requirement in tenders involving concrete repair.

The Corrosion Prevention Association represents consultants, contractors and manufacturers working in the field of corrosion prevention for reinforced concrete and masonry encased steel, while the Sprayed Concrete Association represents leading contracting and manufacturing companies engaged in sprayed concrete.

The Structural Concrete Alliance offers a range of free to attend regional CPD seminars on Structural Asset Protection and Repair. These half-day events are scheduled to take place in Exeter on Wednesday 17 September, Hammersmith, London on 29 October and Leeds on 12 November. q • Further information on the Structural Concrete Alliance, CPD seminars and presentations and the advice available from each constituent association, visit www.structuralconcretealliance.org. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Trade association keeps its members up to date ‹ LAST YEAR CHANGES were introduced to Construction Plant Certification Scheme (CPCS) D91

Sensitive shop site refurbishment in the south-east of England by member company Precision Drilling

category regarding pedestrian operated robotic crushing and breaking machines. The changes mean that anyone operating robotic machines will require a CPCS test for the new D91 category and Level 2 qualification.

Responding to the changes, the Drilling and Sawing Association (DSA) began collaborating with others in the demolition industry to produce a complete training course to equip its members for the changes and set about securing substantial up-skilling grants for them.

This represents the latest in the association’s on-going moves to keep its members abreast of developments in the diamond drilling and sawing sector.

The DSA is the only organisation that represents the interests of companies involved in the drilling and sawing industry and is committed to improving standards within the industry by establishing better codes of safe working practice, education and training.

According to the DSA: “Knowledgeable contractors recommend and use diamond cutting systems because they can provide significant cost advantages over conventional concrete removal methods.

“The advantages include reduced down time, precision in cutting, maintenance of structural integrity, reductions in noise, dust and debris, cutting where access is limited and the ability to cut heavy reinforced concrete. Those advantages have revolutionised the concrete cutting industry.

“Members of the association are experts in their field – they can recommend the best techniques and equipment for the most cost-effective cutting and are better prepared to bring projects in on time and within budget. In addition, they have the training and experience to select the best sawing and drilling procedures to employ at any stage of a project.” q • For more information on the DSA and its membership criteria visit www.drillandsaw.co.uk.

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Education and training are key to adoption of trenchless methods ‹ ACCORDING TO THE UK Society of Trenchless Technology

and Guilds Institute and thus formal certification of competence in trenchless methods is now possible. q (UKSTT): “One of the constraints to the greater adoption of trenchless methods is the lack of awareness of them amongst the engineering • For information about all UKSTT’s activities visit the website at community. This is partly due to the fact that very few students www.ukstt.org.uk. graduating from UK universities have any knowledge of the wide range of techniques currently available.

“Because of time constraints or lack of awareness by staff themselves, most university departments do not include trenchless methods in their curriculum.

However, there are a few that do manage to find a few hours in the syllabus to give a broad overview of trenchless technology.”

Trenchless technology, according to UKSTT, is “…the science of installing, repairing or renewing underground pipes, ducts and cables using techniques that minimise or eliminate the need for excavation. The use of such techniques can reduce environmental impact and social costs while providing economic alternatives to traditional open cut THE 2014 NO-DIG LIVE show will be held at Peterborough Arena on 16-18 September. methods of installation, renewal or repair.”

The arena is part the East of England Showground which offers an ideal combination of the In order to increase awareness of the facilities required for NO-DIG LIVE – including a state of the art indoor exhibition hall with techniques among university students, first-class seminar accommodation and adjacent outdoor demonstration grounds.

UKSTT embarked on an outreach programme The venue also offers several acres of free car parking, free wi-fi for all visitors and exhibitors which, in the academic year 2013/4, and a wide range of nearby hotels. The show is moving from Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, involved its council members, staff and where it has been successfully held since 2002. specialist industry-based engineers, who are “NO-DIG LIVE is an unrivalled shopwindow for trenchless technology,” said Caroline sponsored by the employers, lecturing to Prescot, managing director of organisers Westrade Group Ltd. “This event regularly brings over 200 students in universities throughout together the cream of the industry to review the very latest products and techniques. The the country. live demonstrations are a huge draw – and not only for home visitors, as we have seen an A revised teaching support media disc is increasing number of international engineers who travel to the UK to see machinery in action. also nearing completion. It is planned to It is vital to have the best combination of facilities required for the various aspects of this event make this available to interested universities and we are confident that Peterborough Arena will rise to the challenge.” by allowing them to register on the UKSTT The 2014 programme will continue with the popular early morning Business Briefing web site requesting a copy and expressing programme held daily from 8am until the opening of the exhibition at 10am. Visitors are interest in the lecture support service. invited to sign up free of charge and join the debate on the changing daily topic.

UKSTT, in conjunction with WTI Training Live demonstrations of equipment showing a variety of trenchless techniques are carried out Group, has also been actively involved in throughout the day, many of which are on request, while others are included in a timetable in developing training and assessment modules order that visitors can plan their day accordingly. q for a number of trenchless methods. These modules have been accredited by the City • Images are courtesy of www.nodiglive.co.uk where full details on the show can be found.

Trenchless technology show moves to Peterborough

‹

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‘Synchronised’ auger boring allows residential development to proceed ‹ BEFORE PILING WORK could begin on a

new multimillion-pound residential development in the City of Westminster, a Thames Water sewer had to be relocated. That required the installation of three drives of 450mm concrete drainage by laser-guided auger boring. The contract was awarded to specialist boring company Mosley Moling.

The work would be carried out from three shafts and would include construction of three new manholes. The challenge was that it all had to be completed within a three-week traffic management window in a busy central London street – and had to include all connections and reinstatements.

Installing the 610mm steel casings prior to jacking the 450mm concrete

Mosley came up with a methodology which allowed completion of the whole project within the timescale required. The shaft excavations and drives were sequenced in such a way as to allow simultaneous use of two auger boring rigs into a single reception shaft. This required the two drives to be precisely aligned to meet each other as there would be no ability to ‘adjust’ the invert levels to suit.

Typically for central London the ground conditions proved challenging as the team encountered old dock walls buried deep beneath street level half-way along one of the drives.

Within the time window, the multi-disciplinary team from Mosley’s managed to complete: • Three launch/reception shafts to 5m deep • Three auger boring drives totalling 70m • Construction of four new manholes • Connections to existing TWUL sewers • All reinstatements and making-good Because of the challenges associated with the project, a special management group was set up to deliver the required focus of resources and immediate reaction to site activity.

Mosley’s management offered a ‘Well done!’ to all those involved. q

Setting the line within the second launch shaft

Combined single reception pit

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Leading UK supplier visits Swedish manufacturer for Technology Days

Practical demonstrations took place throughout the event including (left) John Kelly of CJ Kelly Associates demonstrating the Brawoliner inversion drum

‹ AT THE RECENT Technology Days event held by Swedish liner and

equipment manufacturer and supplier Sacpro, leading trenchless specialist CJ Kelly Associates was one of the firms demonstrating the latest in ‘no-dig’ technology.

Participants at the event attended lectures, product demonstrations and a trade show, with Sacpro suppliers exhibiting their various products and services. Installers from the pipeline lining industry were offered the latest information on lining techniques and products, as well as being invited to try out the latest technologies in real lining scenarios.

Jan-Erik Svedlund, CEO and founder of Sacpro AB in Falun, Sweden, said: “The purpose of our technical days is to create a venue for installers in the lining industry where they will get the chance to meet each other as well as a selection of interesting vendors. Visitors are given the opportunity to watch demos and try new materials, techniques and tools that simplify and streamline the daily working life when lining in the real world.”

Sacpro AB has over 20 years experience of lining in the field, first as a contractor working throughout Sweden and, since 2005, exclusively as a producer of equipment and a supplier to contractors in the lining business.

Its equipment is supplied in the UK by CJ Kelly Associates. Its Sactools range includes extruders, rolling mills, equipment for pipe milling and a complete system for the installation of branch pipes. The company works closely with leading European manufacturer Brawoliner, for which Sacpro offers a complete range of lining products in Sweden and Finland. C J Kelly is the approved Brawoliner dealer in the UK and Ireland.

Brawoliner joined John and Martyn Kelly of CJ Kelly Associates, together with Peter Bowyer and Mark Prendergast of Dyno Rod franchisee P Bowyer Associates Ltd and Spencer Horsfield of Metro Rod – all CJ Kelly clients – in demonstrating the new HT liner and HT epoxy along with the new dieselpowered steam generator. The demonstration showed just how quickly an epoxy impregnated liner cures when the temperature can be raised to about 90ºC. Brawoliner’s presentation of its new materials and devices showed how the company now offers entirely new possibilities for rapid installations, both in underground sewers and in-property sewer pipe systems. Mike Kolter, HansJoachim Fritz and Alfred Bachmann of Brawoliner also demonstrated the effectiveness of the new steamer when they showed how an installation with subsequent steam curing is completed.

Sacpro’s own Sacpipe connection system is a complete system for relining in buildings. The system includes installation materials from Brawoliner, with manifolds and connection fittings from Sacpro’s own Sacparts division. All standard versions of Sacparts branch pipes are ready for delivery from the warehouse.

“With our in-house production of the Sacparts products, we can deliver

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even custom-made items, usually the day after the order,” said Krister Persson of Sacpro.

At the event, Sacpro also showed its new 3-phase, 6kW steam generator, which is primarily designed to streamline work in large branch pipes, curing in columns and localised installations in collection pipes. Jockum Brodén, responsible for development and technology at Sacpro, has been running the development of the new steam generator. He also identified the need to monitor the temperature during the curing phase which led to a temperature gauge being developed and included in the Sactools range, along with the steam generator.

“With this equipment we provide the installer with the ability to fully control installations. When you know the conditions and can control and measure the temperature during curing, the work becomes much more efficient and safe,” he explained.

Sacpro showed the equipment in action when a large branch pipe was installed. The whole process was monitored with the new temperature gauge.

The development of the Sactools Flex Tool, for fittings in branch pipes through bends, now means an operating range from 70mm up to 150mm diameter of the main pipe. The Flex Tool line complements the other Sactools manifold tools which can handle diameters from 70mm up to 250mm.

Sacpro also offers special versions with up to four connecting pipes to the same main and dimensions up to 350mm diameter.

Especially for the English delegation attending with CJ Kelly Associates, the method of gluing a plug was demonstrated. This is a method used in the installation of liners with an open end, but without having to use a calibration hose. The method uses a piece of Omaplata rubber hose glued to the end of the liner. After the liner has cured out, the plug is wrapped off by pulling a strap, which is used during the installation. On completion what is left in the pipe is a clean, open end that requires no post-processing.

Commenting on the two-day event, Peter Bowyer said: “The hospitality was excellent, the trip was well organised and the products displayed and demonstrated were very interesting. I can see a future in our organisation for some of the new equipment we witnessed in action.”

John Kelly, senior partner at C J Kelly, commented: “For us to see how the Swedish market works, the type and range of contractors and equipment suppliers there are, as well as witnessing the demonstrations and activities at the Sacpro technical days, was a most interesting opportunity and something of an eye-opener as to what could be achieved in the UK and Ireland markets.

We would very much like to thank Sacpro for the opportunity afforded to us to attend the event.” q • For more information call CJ Kelly Associates on 01832 293030, email john@cjkelly.com or visit www.cjkelly.com.

Septicity control ‹ ROUGHLY 96% OF the UK population

is connected by sewers leading to sewage treatment works, small private treatment works, cesspits or septic tanks.

Sewage is generated by residential, institutional, commercial and industrial establishments. It includes household waste liquid from toilets, baths, showers, kitchens, sinks and so forth that is disposed of via sewers. In many areas, sewage also includes liquid waste from industry and commerce.

Without suitable treatment, this sewage and wastewater can damage the environment and create public health problems. One of the problems associated with municipal sewage is odour. This is caused when bacteria in the wastewater utilise all the available oxygen and start to reduce any sulphates present into sulphides. These sulphides produce the characteristically unpleasant ‘rotten egg’ smell. The lack of air supply, stagnant areas and warm temperatures all promote undesirable biological activity, which also results in severe acid corrosion causing significant damage to sewers.

Norfolk based Omex Environmental has introduced Anomex to prevent this undesirable scenario. Both Anomex 64 and Anomex 76 are non-hazardous liquids designed to prevent sulphide gas build-up by substituting nitrogen in the microbial respiratory process. Anomex 64 is a sodium nitrate product and Anomex 76 is a new calcium nitrate solution manufactured at the company’s Lincolnshire factory, where Omex have invested in a production plant specifically for this product. Both products are proven to be extremely cost effective and efficient septicity control agents, tested, used and approved by UK water companies.

As well as the liquid solutions, Omex provide the dosing system units needed to dose Anomex. These come in a range of sizes from 2,500 litres to 15,000 litres and are custom designed for septicity dosing.

These units can also be made to specific requirements. Omex Environmental project engineers can visit any site and ascertain dosing requirements in order to provide the optimum dosing system. Dosing units are

manufactured at the Kings Lynn factory.

Anomex dosing units can be supplied with telemetry or the solution can be delivered on a predictive delivery system to guarantee a unit never runs out of product. q • Visit the website for further information www.omex.co.uk, email environmental@ omex.com or call 01553 770092.

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atoz construction national website

Welcome to our A to Z guide of the websites of some of the industry’s leading players.

If you are one of our many online readers simply click on any of the logos listed below and you will be automatically directed to that company’s website.

To get your company’s website listed on this page just give us a call on 0161 710 3873 or email cathy@dmmonline.co.uk

The Construction Publication Specialist

All The Protection You Need Under One Roof

www.cip-books.com

www.nfrc.co.uk

Saving Time, Saving Money

Cable Management Systems

www.competentroofer.co.uk

www.skyhook-gb.com

Workplace Testing for Drug & Alcohol Abuse

Online Tradesman Search Facility & Directory

www.csidrugsandalcohol.co.uk

Suppliers and Distributors of Scaffolding and Access Equipment

www.scaffoldingsales.co.uk

Safety, Health, Environmental and Employment Law Services

T: 08456 122 144 W: www.thsp.co.uk

Asset Finance Solutions

Construction Finance Specialists

www.jcb-finance.com

www.ultimatefinance.co.uk

Professional Solutions for Heating, Drying, Cooling and Ventilation

High Speed 4G Wireless Broadband Routers

www.masterheaters.co.uk

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www.4grouter.co.uk

BUILDERS & PLUMBERS MERCHANTS

PORTABLE BUILDINGS

BUILDING CONTROL

DRILLING & SAWING

TRAINING & ASSESSMENT

DUST MONITORING

HEALTH & SAFETY

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BOOK REVIEW

Short Form of Subcontract updated by CIP ‹ CONSTRUCTION Industry Publication’s

Short Form of Subcontract 2014 is an updated version of the popular contract format that has been in use for standard and straightforward subcontracts for a number of years. Designed to be easy to understand, it is suitable for use with most standard forms of main contracts, including the JCT Minor Works, but has the added benefit that it can also be used in conjunction with almost all main contracts.

It is primarily aimed at common small-scale subcontract works of a straightforward nature rather than complex subcontracts. It also contains provision for simple packages of work where the design is to be completed by the subcontractor.

Although the contract is designed to be easily understood, there is a section of guidance notes included.

The document has two sections, the first of which contains introductory wording and needs to be completed with specific information to the particular subcontract. The second contains the contract conditions which do not require any information to be completed.

According to publishers CIP Books: “The Short Form of Subcontract itself is a simple yet comprehensive subcontract agreement that sets out all the necessary terms governing the agreement between the main contractor and sub-contractor.

“Importantly for main contractors and subcontractors alike, the payment provisions have been drafted as simply as possible to comply with the Construction Act, as subsequently amended. Under Clause 8.1, the subcontractor submits an application for payment on a monthly basis which falls due for payment 28 days after the application unless a Pay Less notice is served by the main contractor.”

The documents are currently available at the reduced price of £79.20+VAT for a pad of 10 and £49.50+VAT for a pad of 6. That represents a 10% discount until 31 August 2014.

Both sizes are available from CIP, www. cip-books.com, ISBN 9781852631376. R

• Construction Industry Publications (CIP) publishes a range of construction, health and safety and environmental titles.

As well as its own publications, including the iconic Construction Health and Safety Manual and the new Environmental Manual, CIP supplies a range of DVDs, books and report forms from all of the leading specialist publishers including the HSE, Construction Skills and CIRIA for construction professionals, architects, designers, civil engineers and specialist consultants.

All can be purchased from the CIP website at www.cip-books.com or ordered by phone on 0870 078 4400.

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ew sections on health

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