1chf 2015 mag p1 84 online

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Construction output continues to grow, despite slowdown in new orders Construction industry urged not to ‘waste’ graduate skills New pictures show Crossrail’s progress below Oxford Street Stirling Lloyd’s pioneering bridge deck waterproofing gains European approval Liven up landscapes with Bituchem’s Colourtex surface Lucion in Paradise after Birmingham contract win It’s time to see BIM as the present, says industry leader Peace Recruitment urges construction companies to invest in graduates now An ‘ace’ idea – with the potential to solve the world’s housing shortage Portable Sanitation & Welfare Expo 2016 Report outlines training and retraining needs Sundolitt XPS helps provide a warm road to recovery at police treatment centre Guild introduces new membership category

SCOTLAND BUILD PREVIEW 17 New exhibition will celebrate Scotland’s construction boom 18 Geotechnical solutions overcome housing challenges 19 Debates will reflect Scotland’s construction priorities 19 Simplifying flooring specification at Scotland Build 21 Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity shining brighter through new Helpline 23 Looking to reduce costs and improve your business’s green credentials?

27 Busy times for expanding multidisciplinary company 29 Metrotile – the future proof roof 30 How to keep up to date and in touch 30 Glasgow is the place as roofers make the connection

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WORKING AT HEIGHT 32 NASC president’s New Apprenticeship Challenge hits 400 goal 33 Scaffolding products Code of Practice updated 33 TATA Excellence Award for XERVON Palmers supervisor 35 Testing leads to updated advice on impact wrenches 36 CISRS Part 1 course requirement now active 36 New CISRS logos unveiled

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THE GREEN AGENDA 38 Green building show returns to Manchester 38 Baker Consultants nominated for 2015 Wales Green Energy Award 39 Newcomer Redsky Solar nominated for first award 39 What is the future for renewable heat?

40 Fuel poverty under the microscope with ‘micro district’ ground source schemes TIMBER FRAME 41 The fabric of a building gives substance to its thermal performance ‘Think Fabric First’ BROWNFIELD SITES 43 Expect the unexpected – limiting liabilities with brownfield sites PLANNING 44 Tree Preservation Orders and planning: how to succeed!

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For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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1CHF

COVER STORY

CONTENTS Cotswold home scoops regional prize This issue’s front cover shows a stunning home in the Cotswolds. It earnt Russell Hancock of Quarrystone Homes (Cotswolds) Ltd first place in the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards Single Home Commendation category for the South West region. It is just one of a number of PiJ award-winning projects across the country announced over the past few months.

read more on the PiJ Awards from p60

DRONES 45 Construction wakes up to the high-flying possibilities of drones 45 Spire’s secrets uncovered by UAV

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ROOFING 48 Rainclear Systems’ Heritage Cast Aluminium Rainwater range 49 NFRC celebrates impressive membership milestone 50 Lead industry announces its leading players TRAINING 51 Why training your employees is good for business HEALTH & SAFETY 53 ICE urges industry to get to grips with CDM 2015 53 CDM? Ask the HSE 53 New system offers pioneering approach to construction skills management 54 Safety group celebrates half-a-century with awards ceremony 54 Jackloc crowned Small Business of the Year

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DRAINAGE 55 Syphon rehab keeps East Anglian Waterways operational FINANCE 56 China to finance the Northern Powerhouse 56 Multi-award winning Evolve reveal how businesses can protect their bottom line 57 Asset finance can fund expansion plans in construction sector 58 Specialist brokers offer comprehensive cover to construction sector 59 A major cashflow breakthrough for subcontractors 59 Fund launched to showcase starter homes

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HOUSING 60 Regional awards mark out the road to national success 60 Martyn’s Christmas efforts earn him the top reward 61 Rural idyll reveals its award-winning secret 62 One-off project takes the gong 63 ‘Just walking the dog’ leads to top award 65 Award-winner Tam is following a Highlands tradition 69 ‘Super luxury’ home with stunning views nets Dominic an off-shore PiJ 71 A passion for building is translated into a regional award 74 Country estate redevelopment includes an award winner 77 Gavin’s PiJ success mirrors the company’s nationwide expansion 79 Award-winning scheme puts families first 79 New underfloor heating system has outstanding acoustic properties BOOK REVIEW 82 Revised reporting books carry up-to-date guidance

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WE HAVE BEEN covering the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards for well over a decade at Construction National, so there isn’t a lot new we can bring to the subject, right? Not so: in this issue we focus on the winners in a new category introduced in 2012 to reflect the quality of site management working on just one home – an outstanding example of which is featured on the front cover of this issue.

The Single Home Commendation Award category showcases some of the very best microbusinesses and sole traders creating sometimes stunning properties. In all cases the recognition of the NHBC with a Pride in the Job Award means the person engaged to make that dream home a reality has managed the site with skill, professionalism and to the highest safety standards.

A number of those Single Plot Commendation Award winners will be heading off to London in January to find out who is the national champion.

• In contrast to the long-established award scheme, Construction National is proud to be a media partner for a new exhibition and conference celebrating the best the industry in Scotland has to offer. Scotland Build takes place at Glasgow’s SECC on 25 - 26 November and promises an impressive programme of debate and seminars to add to its comprehensive exhibition coverage.

Scotland has been quietly beavering away creating its own construction boom over the past couple of years and is set to outperform most regions of the UK – in the process bringing its output back to pre-recession levels. Scotland Build will be showcasing some of the companies involved in that resurgence and the policies that have allowed the public sector to lead it.

The conference accompanying the exhibition will include addresses from some of the major player in the industry north of the border. Those involved include Ed Monaghan of Mactaggart & Mickel, whose multi award-winning site manager Paddy Malone is a NHBC legend.

• For those who can’t wait to visit Glasgow, the Scottish Roofing Contractor Awards will be handed out in the city in November. They will put forward the best roofing contractors in the country, who will join winners in the various national categories in May at the UK Roofing Awards. Also in the spotlight will be the Lead Contractors Association’s Murdoch Award and Murdoch Sponsors award winners.

• Sadly, however, falls from roofs continue to figure in HSE prosecutions. Falls from height continue to be too common a cause of serious injury, and indeed fatalities, in the industry today.

Fortunately, there are organisations such as the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation, who are committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety in the industry.

• A new strategy to ensure we have the skills needed to complete the major projects planned was launched at the end of September. The National Infrastructure Plan for Skills details the skills ‘landscape’ likely to be needed. It was published by Infrastructure UK and was broadly welcomed by the industry. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Construction output continues to grow, despite slowdown in new orders [

THE LATEST REPORT from data analysts Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) shows that output growth in the UK construction industry accelerated to a seven-month high in September.

The data pointed to faster rates of expansion in all three categories of activity monitored by the survey.

In the report, Markit/CIPS said: “Greater workloads and positive sentiment regarding the business outlook contributed to a sharp increase in staffing levels during September. However, new business growth continued to ease from June’s recent peak, with the latest upturn in new work the weakest for five months.”

Meanwhile, construction companies indicated the least marked lengthening of suppliers’ delivery times since November 2010, which provided further evidence that supply chain pressures have subsided in recent months.

House building remained the best performing broad category of construction activity in September with the expansion in residential building the strongest for 12 months, which some survey respondents attributed to the launch of development projects that had been delayed earlier in 2015.

Commercial construction activity also rose sharply in September with the pace of growth accelerating to a seven-month high. Meanwhile, civil engineering activity increased for the fifth consecutive month and the rate of expansion picked up to its fastest since February.

Although volumes of new work rose at a robust pace in September, the increase was the slowest for five months and much weaker than the postcrisis peaks recorded in 2013 and 2014.

Nonetheless, construction companies remain highly upbeat about their prospects for output growth over the next 12 months, the report says. More than half of the survey panel forecast an upturn in business activity, while only 6% anticipate a reduction.

Employment growth was sustained across the sector for the 28th month running. The pace of recruitment accelerated to its fastest since June. At the same time, firms signalled another increase in sub-contractor usage during September, leading to a continued sharp rise in sub-contractor charges.

Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit and author of the report, said: “Construction firms enjoyed a strong finish to the third quarter of 2015 as a sustained rebound in new development projects continued to have an impact on the ground. Moreover, September data suggests that the UK construction sector is still experiencing its most intense cycle of job hiring for at least 15 years, and consequently skill shortages remain a dominant concern across the industry.

“Residential building saw the most decisive momentum shift in September, hitting a one-year high in the process, while commercial development also picked up speed as rising business investment and improving UK economic conditions acted to bolster demand. A growth spurt for civil engineering activity completed the hat-trick of positive news for the main construction sub-sectors in September, helped by robust pipelines of infrastructure work.”

However, he counselled: “While the latest survey provides positive news on construction output, jobs and supply-chains, there was a warning light flashing in terms of total new orders. Construction companies have recorded a steady slowdown in new business growth from June’s post-election peak and the latest upturn was the second-slowest since mid-2013.”

David Noble, group CEO at CIPS, commented: “The building blocks were firmly in place this month as the sector reported more work, rising staff levels and strong optimism for the future. Though the overall growth rate of new business was showing signs of slowing down, all three sectors offered positive news with residential housing the strongest performer.

“Issues around skills shortages continued to be a drag on the sector with the resultant demand for higher salaries from the smaller pool of skilled staff. Companies reported higher staffing levels but it was a continuing challenge to find specialist skills as they struggled to rely less on subcontractors to fill the gaps.

“Lower fuel and raw material costs helped margins even in a landscape of strong competition. Levels of output were robust and increased at the fastest pace for over six months.” q

Construction industry urged not to ‘waste’ graduate skills [CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ACROSS the

UK are being urged not to ‘waste’ employee skills after it was revealed too many over-qualified graduates are entering the industry and their skills are not being utilised.

Anita Bickerdike, owner of Shropshire-based Positive Intention which provides bespoke training and management development courses for the construction sector, says it is vital that companies are in a position to take advantage of graduate skills.

Her comments come after a new report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found the majority of university graduates are working in jobs that do not require a degree.

The report has led to concerns that graduate numbers have now out-stripped the creation of high-skilled jobs.

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The trend is particularly prominent in the construction and manufacturing sector.

Anita said: “The report clearly shows that more and more graduates are taking jobs in the construction industry where there is little demand for graduate skills.

“Whilst some sectors have and are upgrading jobs to take advantage of graduate skills, this report suggests this does not appear to be happening in the construction sector thus creating a distinct mismatch of skills.

“This is not only a waste of graduate skills but also a lost business opportunity. It demonstrates the importance of continued training within the industry to take advantage of the skills that exist within the workforce.

“With Business Information Modelling (BIM) soon to become a major requirement in the construction industry it is likely that employees

will need to be trained in different skills to those traditionally required within the sector. There is actually no better time for companies to be investing in their own employees.

“Capitalising on employees’ existing skills and giving them the new ones they need for the future means a workforce equipped to deliver better return on investment now and prevent skills shortages in the future.”

The report commissioned by the CIPD found that overall 58.8 per cent of graduates in the UK are in jobs deemed to be non-graduate roles. q • For more information on the training and management development services offered by Positive Intention visit the website at www.positiveintention.co.uk, contact Anita on 01630 685689 or email anita@positiveintention.co.uk.

New pictures show Crossrail’s progress below Oxford Street [

THE CROSSRAIL PROJECT to create the new rail link across London continues to make headlines and provide awe-inspiring images. The latest (pictured) show the tunnels 30m below Oxford Street, which are now finished – as are all the connecting passageways.

The western ticket hall on Davies Street is also structurally complete, while at Hanover Square, excavation work for the eastern ticket hall will shortly conclude. Construction of the 250m-long platforms is nearing completion and installation of the frames to support the full height platform edge screens is now underway.

London Underground engineers have also recently excavated the final passageway linking the expanded Tube station to the new Crossrail station.

Architectural fit-out of Bond Street Crossrail station will begin next year alongside installation of track, signalling and overhead power equipment in the tunnels. The new Crossrail station at Bond Street, along with the upgrade work at Bond Street Tube station, will dramatically increase transport capacity in the heart of London’s busiest shopping district, transforming access to the West End and providing quicker and easier transport links for customers.

Chris Pateman, Crossrail’s Bond Street project manager, said: “Construction at Bond Street continues to make excellent progress. Since work began over five years ago our highly skilled teams have worked tirelessly to complete the tunnels and excavate the huge new ticket halls. When Bond Street Crossrail station opens in 2018 it will be a fantastic gateway to Oxford Street and the West End.” q

Stirling Lloyd’s pioneering bridge deck waterproofing gains European approval [

more than 20,000 structures in over 60 countries, in STIRLING LLOYD IS proud to announce that its extreme climates, on both road and rail, under heavy Eliminator Bridge Deck Waterproofing system has gained traffic on steel and concrete.

European Technical Assessment (ETA) certification from John Volpicelli, export director at Stirling Lloyd the European Organisation for Technical Approvals (EOTA) commented: “It’s fantastic news that Stirling Lloyd has through the British Board of Agrément (BBA). The ETA is received this ETA accreditation. We operate in many based on the testing requirements as set out in European countries both in and outside Europe, and this high Technical Approval Guideline (ETAG) 033. Eliminator is level of testing and auditing means all our clients can the first UK manufactured system to achieve this level of be assured that Eliminator meets the EOTA standards accreditation. in manufacture, specification and performance. Stirling The ETA certificate confirms that Eliminator has been Lloyd is proud to be constantly improving standards in tested and meets the very latest, high-level European engineering.” requirements that are specific to the waterproofing of Dr Frank Swallow, technical director at Stirling Lloyd, bridge decks. Unlike most other systems, which use more The Eliminator bridge deck oversees all research and development and was heavily generic standards to CE mark their materials, Eliminator waterproofing system was used involved in the assessment. Frank commented: “During is CE marked to a specific standard. on the Bosphorus II bridge the assessment, BBA technical officers oversaw a large Clients, specifiers and contractors in EU Member States number of comprehensive tests on Eliminator, testing can be confident when selecting Eliminator that it fully key features and validating the test reports. complies with the EU’s design, installation and performance requirements. The “We were confident that the product would come through the assessment certificate provides assurances that the product will perform to consistently high with flying colours, as all our products are put through rigorous instandards, helping to bring greater quality to the construction industry. house testing, to ensure they always exceed industry standards. The As well as confirming the effectiveness of Stirling Lloyd’s advanced polymer attainment of the internationally recognised ETA certification through the technology, Eliminator’s ETA certification provides the latest Factory Production BBA demonstrates Stirling Lloyd’s commitment to high quality product Control (FCP++) which includes audits of production processes, QA/QC testing innovation.” q and full traceability of raw materials through to the finished product.

Eliminator has an unparalleled 30-year global track record. The product • For further information visit www.stirlinglloyd.com. has already provided protection of over 15,000,000m2 of bridge deck – on www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Liven up landscapes with

Bituchem’s Colourtex surface [

HARD LANDSCAPING SPECIALISTS, The Bituchem Group has created a colourful and decorative surfacing material to brighten up any project or landscaping scheme.

The company has designed its Colourtex material using fully bound natural aggregates in a range of vivid colours to give the same durable qualities as standard tarmac with a long-lasting vibrant finish.

Available in red, green, blue and buff, Colourtex offers architects and specifiers the opportunity to be creative with their projects whilst still offering an extremely durable and long lasting finish. Designed to withstand pressure, the material can be used for many domestic and commercial applications without losing its colour or quality and still maintains a high level of grip for pedestrians.

The decorative material is extremely versatile and can be used to liven up any landscape or area, including domestic or commercial driveways, pedestrian footpaths or school playgrounds. It can also be used to highlight designated areas within multi-use games areas or cycle paths and can enhance safety routes when contrasted against standard black or buff surfaces.

The application can be easily completed without needing to apply expensive markers to these areas

and will reduce the overall time and cost of the project.

The colourful aggregates are bound using a clear resin binder which prevents aggregates from coming loose and deteriorating over time into large cracks or potholes, making it a particularly safe material for applications in playgrounds and games areas or other areas used by young children.

Bituchem has seen many successful applications of its Colourtex material, including the Duke of York Barracks in London which applied the material in pillar box red to its statement driveway. The material was also supplied in green and buff to the Forest of Dean School to offer a bright and colourful

outdoor and sports area for its students.

The Colourtex material is supplied hot and can be fully applied in just one application at any time throughout the year. This quick and simple application has made the material a very popular specification to enhance any project that requires a decorative or multi-functional hard landscaping surface. q • Further information on Colourtex is available from Bituchem on 01594 826768 or 07584 311266, by emailing: mark@ bituchem.com or by visiting the company’s website at www.bituchem.com.

Lucion in Paradise after Birmingham contract win [A SPECIALIST ENVIRONMENTAL

company has won a contract to deliver asbestos management services for a development project to transform Birmingham city centre.

Lucion Environmental is providing asbestos surveying, air testing and analytical services to initially support the demolition phase of the 17 acre Paradise development.

The £500m Paradise scheme will see the transformation of the site into a vibrant mixed use development of commercial, retail, leisure and hotel space set in a greatly enhanced public area in the civic and historical centre of the city.

The undisclosed contract, awarded by Carillion, the main contractor undertaking the scheme’s enabling and infrastructure works, will see Lucion complete the first phase of work later this year.

The contract is another boost for Lucion’s West Midlands office, which also works for Network Rail, Powys County Council and Aberystwyth University, as it targets 20% growth over the next 18 months following relocation to new offices at Pendeford Business Park, Wolverhampton.

Carillion’s project manager Nick Reay said:

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“Paradise is one of the biggest and most important redevelopment projects currently underway in the country.

“Lucion impressed with their experience together with the ability to deliver an added value solution that will enable us to meet stringent asbestos compliance requirements.”

Lucion’s West Midlands’ regional manager Ross Folley said the business is busier than ever on the back of continued strong demand for asbestos survey work across the region.

“We were delighted to have secured this contract, demonstrating that we have the expertise required to deliver quality asbestos management services for major construction projects.

“Investment in training and people means we have the skills to manage large, complex projects like this one while ensuring that buildings and infrastructure are properly assessed for asbestos and customers achieve compliance with environmental legislation.”

The Wolverhampton office is part of a national company providing environmental risk management services to the utilities, rail, construction, oil and gas, highways and

Nick Reay of Carillion (left) with Ross Folley, regional manager of Lucion Environmental health care sectors. Lucion also specialises in the identification of asbestos in soil and contaminated land. q • For further information on Lucion’s capabilities in the construction sector call 0191 461 8999 or visit the webiste at www.lucion.co.uk.

It’s time to see BIM as the present, says industry leader [BUILDING INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (BIM) can no longer be

considered the ‘up-and-coming’ force in construction and building design – it is now the present and the future. That is the point put forward by Richard Allen, marketing and business development director at voestalpine Metsec Plc, who reminds us that BIM as a concept was invented in 1970.

The government’s 2011 BIM strategy laid down an intention to require mandatory collaborative 3D BIM on all central government funded projects by 2016 – which is now just months away. Yet, says Richard, some parts of the industry are still getting to grips with certain aspects of the legislation. So why does the government see this as so important? Ultimately, BIM is driven by a desire to improve efficiency in the industry and provide a universal modelling system that improves both construction and the management of buildings.

Says Richard: “As the BIM 2016 deadline draws ever closer, there have been increasing doubts among construction professionals over whether the UK will be able to meet the government target. A recent survey found that 71% of respondents believed that the industry would not be BIM ready by 2016.

The main reason for this is believed to be the lack of understanding of BIM throughout the entire supply chain, causing a non-collaborative approach.”

Richard Allen quotes the 2014 NBS National BIM Report, which found

that 54% of UK construction professionals used BIM on at least one of their projects, whilst 93% of those who know about BIM believe they will be using it in three years’ time.

“As the awareness of BIM is now widespread, the challenge is for the whole industry to get up to speed on the BIM learning curve and really understand what BIM can do for them. Challenges so far have mainly been due to the absence of collaboration in the construction team and its supply chain, something that we’re proud to have led with a collaborative approach for over 20 years.” q

Peace Recruitment urges construction companies to invest in graduates now A skills shortage within the construction and engineering sectors is driving up pay as organisations compete to attract in-demand skilled employees

[PEACE RECRUITMENT, an Edinburgh based recruitment

consultancy focused on the construction, property and engineering sectors, is warning employers that skilled construction and engineering workers are now the most sought after in the UK. This is a result of a skills shortage in these sectors meaning demand for both permanent and temporary workers is at a record high.

Peace believes the skills shortage is a direct result of companies failing to invest in graduates during the recession and is urging them to rethink their recruitment process now so this problem does not persist in the future.

The latest statistics published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) found that in July 2015 over two fifths of recruiters reported a fall in the number of people looking for work, the steepest decline seen in eight months. The construction industry in particular is struggling to keep pace with demand, with businesses heavily recruiting both permanent and temporary workers. This is driving significant pay growth in the sector of almost 5%.

Engineering employees were the most sought-after type of permanent staff in July, closely followed by construction workers. Construction led the way in the temporary market, followed by nursing/medical/care in second and engineering third.

Chris Peace, managing director of Peace Recruitment, explains: “The construction sector is booming right now, but organisations are struggling to recruit skilled workers as demand goes through the roof. We are finding that clients seem to all be looking for staff at a similar level, which is usually in the 30k-40k salary band.

“Generally speaking someone at this salary level now might have been graduating around 2008/2009. Graduate recruitment was basically nonexistent during this time, hence the supply and demand issue now. We are

advising clients to consider investing in graduates now, up-skill existing staff members or bring in more experienced industry professionals.

“Pay increases, of course, is good news for potential future employees, but it also creates difficulties for organisations trying to keep existing employees happy. The problem seems to be that current employees of many organisations have often not been rewarded financially for their loyalty to the company through the difficult times. So when they find out new employees are being brought in on higher wages naturally it creates unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

“This, in turn, then creates another issue, where candidates are looking for other job offers just to ‘strong arm’ their current employer into offering them a pay rise or ‘a counter offer’ to get them to stay. Our current estimate is that this is happening 15% of the time, costing recruiters and employers a lot of time and money.”

Since its creation in 2009, Peace has transformed itself from a ‘oneman-band’ into a multi-million-pound company. It now has a team of 14 specialist consultants each with an in-depth knowledge of their target markets. Peace prides itself on being different from its competitors and prioritises service before sales. Its success has been built on providing specialist expert advice, combined with exceptional customer service.

Peace recently became the first recruitment company in the UK to join the Institute of Customer Service. Chris Peace: “The Institute is the benchmark for good customer service in the UK. We believe by becoming the first UK recruitment firm to join shows that we are now setting a new benchmark in UK recruitment when it comes to customer service and is further proof that we place service before sales for all clients.” q • For more information about Peace Recruitment visit the website at www.peacerecruitment.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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An ‘ace’ idea – with the potential to solve the world’s housing shortage [

AN INNOVATIVE MODULAR building system which has the potential to plug the massive shortfall in low-cost housing and schools, not just in Britain but across the world, is using expanded polystyrene (EPS) – now known across Europe as Airpop™– at the centre of its unique patented design.

In its most recent project, the Acermetric building system has just slashed costs and build-time at a London primary school where a two-storey multi-purpose 466m2 ‘Centre of Excellence’ was assembled in around 13 weeks on site by just four builders lifting panels by hand and installing the elements with a single tool!

A spokesman for Coppice Primary School in Chigwell, which provided independent funding for the project, said: “The new Centre of Excellence is a unique and bespoke provision that houses two additional classrooms, a computing suite, art studio and science laboratory to accommodate our subject specialisms. This has been a huge success with our pupils, being able to educate them in a purpose built provision. The wider community also benefits from using the art studio in our Centre of Excellence.”

The Acermetric system is patent-protected in twenty countries worldwide with another forty countries recognising patent conformance.

It comprises a range of interlocking panels each of which is effectively a sandwich of grey EPS with the option of the outer board material specified according to the building needs. Together with window and door cassettes, the full range of elements extends to around forty shape options which, when locked together and linked to patented roof support beams and columns, allow more than a million combinations of high-strength, three-dimensionally stable structures – a ‘legolike’ system capable of creating a building of virtually any shape, size or design.

According to the company’s calculations, the system could easily accommodate buildings up to ten storeys high, is suited to areas prone to ground movement and even to earthquake risk, and has undergone stringent UKAS testing covering strength, fire resistance, acoustic protection, thermal insulation and longevity.

The whole idea was the brainchild of UK engineering design and R&D veteran David Appleford who cut his teeth in the deep sea oil exploration sector. According to David, his system owes a great deal to the EPS foam which forms the core of the panels: “The grey EPS at the heart of our Acermetric panels gives us many advantages – light weight, rigidity, excellent insulation, high acoustic performance and good fire protection. In fact

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Coppice Primary School’s Centre of Excellence – Photo: Roy Strutt Photography thermal insulation is so effective that in the primary school project the combination of the heat generated by the occupants and high solar gain meant we had to install additional cooling measures.”

David Appleford is convinced the Acermetric system could bring major benefits across the globe: “Our success so far allows us to be confident that if we could move to large-scale precision mass production of the panels we would have no problem in plugging the gap of 150,000 low-cost homes desperately needed across the UK. When we look at the potential in developing countries this could represent a massive solution to a global problem in which EPS could play a significant part.”

The thermal performance for grey EPS/ Airpop is 0.03 W/mK and, according to David Appleford, this helps his Acermetric buildings to achieve 0.1 u-values or better. The British Plastics Federation (BPF) also points out that Airpop™ is non-toxic, chemically inert, non-irritant and rot-proof. Fungi and bacteria

cannot grow on Airpop™ – it is insoluble and non-hygroscopic and moisture contact will not lead to product or performance deterioration.

Other advantages of the Acermetric system include the fact that no expansion joints are needed as the entire construction is posttensioned through the locking mechanism.

All internal walls are pre-finished – avoiding the need for plasterboard – and external walls can be finished to any specification including architectural cladding, weatherboard, slate, tile or brick slips.

Chairman of the BPF EPS Group, David Emes, said: “There are many building systems which take advantage of Airpop™ but this is one of the most innovative we have come across. It’s an ideal building material for modular or elemental systems because it can easily be cut or moulded to shape during the manufacturing of the elements and has built-in BBA Approval, BRE Certification, BRE Green Guide A+ rating and many wider industry accreditations. It also comes closest of any modern building material to fulfilling the 60-year performance life target set by the UK Building Regulations.”

A new residential build project for Acermetric is in the pipeline and will further prove the system’s integrity. The next step for Acermetric will then be to commission a state-of-the-art factory for the mass production of the panels and to license the innovative yet extremely simple technology to manufacturers, builders and construction companies in the UK and beyond. q

Construction in progress

• For further information visit www.eps.co.uk.

Portable Sanitation & Welfare Expo 2016 Now in its 11th year, Portable Sanitation & Welfare Expo is still expanding, with new exhibitors lined up

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THIS YEAR THE Portable Sanitation & Welfare Expo will feature over 40 exhibitors and with new attendees from Italy, the rest of Europe and a collaboration with the Portable Sanitation Association International (the United States version of Portable Sanitation Europe), it’s set to be an international show!

The 2016 event, to be held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 24th and 25th February, will see the introduction of new and informative seminars such as ‘Welfare requirements on small and transient construction sites’, ‘Diversify your business and create more profit’ and ‘Norovirus transmission’. The event will also feature a fundraising dinner with a

presentation from Beating Bowel Cancer, the association’s chosen charity, as well as some evening entertainment.

New exhibitors to look out for include TOIBLU who produce a revolutionary product called TOI-blok, the world’s first inter-locking portable toilet with international patent pending, and BorderLoos, a specialist hire company based in Cumbria.

Also worth checking out is GigLoo, a well known UK manufacturer who provide 100% recyclable units and who will be demonstrating three of their 2016 models which, after listening to customer feedback, have a number of enhanced features with innovative designs.

Also exhibiting will be GK&N who are experts in the service and repair of toilet tankers.

As an extra incentive to pre-register for the event, all registrations received before 30th November will enter into a prize draw to receive an i-pad. Simply go to www.ps-expo.com to register free today. q

Report outlines training and retraining needs [IN SEPTEMBER Infrastructure UK – part of HM Treasury – published

the National Infrastructure Plan for Skills, detailing the skills ‘landscape’ likely to be needed to deliver the UK’s infrastructure needs up to 2020 and beyond. According to the report, investment in infrastructure is a vital element in improving the UK’s productivity.

It states: “With infrastructure output in the UK predicted to continue to grow, government and industry need to work together to ensure the right people with the right skills are available to deliver the ambitious pipeline of planned public and private investment to 2020 and beyond.

“The National Infrastructure Plan for Skills presents an analysis of the skills landscape in the UK and sets out the key challenges faced by the industry to deliver the infrastructure pipeline.”

The main findings of the analysis are: • With the growth in infrastructure investment, the pipeline creates a demand for over 250,000 construction and over 150,000 engineering construction workers by 2020, driving a need to recruit and train nearly 100,000 additional workers by the end of the decade.

• The required skills blend to deliver the investment plans will change over time leading to a need to retrain and up-skill around 250,000 of the existing workforce over the next decade in addition to the need to recruit new workers.

• A lack of detail on demand and supply, particularly within regions, coupled with fragmented approaches to skills planning and high levels of bespoke training, limit the effectiveness and efficiency of labour market mobility. This makes it harder for skilled workers to move easily between sectors and projects, exacerbating key skills shortages for key projects and programmes.

Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Lord O’Neill of Gatley said: “It is crucial we have the right people with the right skills in place to build and

maintain our first-class infrastructure, essential to rebalancing our economy.

This report is just the first step in addressing how we can work with industry to ensure our workforce’s competitiveness for the future.

“We’ll now develop a clear action plan, set to not only strengthen the economy by delivering our most ambitious projects, from transport to energy, but improve the quality of citizens’ lives too.”

Richard Threlfall, head of Infrastructure at KPMG UK, commented: “I very much welcome Infrastructure UK’s initiative in developing the National Infrastructure Plan for Skills. It forces the construction industry to look beyond the current skills crisis to the long-term need to invest in its people, get serious about apprenticeships and to retrain and diversify its workforce. q

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Sundolitt XPS helps provide a warm road to recovery at police treatment centre [

SUNDOLITT XPS extreme strength, extruded polystyrene is helping provide high insulation levels, strength and rigidity to a new swimming pool which will play an important role in the rehabilitation of injured and sick police officers from Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The pool installation, at Castlebrae Police Treatment Centre in Auchterarder, Perthshire is part of a £2.5 million redevelopment to improve and extend facilities to accommodate the needs of some 1,650 serving and retired police officers who use the centre each year. The work includes the new – much larger – pool alongside a new hydrotherapy pool and a larger fitness and exercise hall with a purpose-built spin bike studio.

The XPS has been supplied in varying dimensions to accommodate the sloping design of the pool and is an important sub-structure prior to the pouring of the concrete base and tile finish. The pool contractor, John Preston Pool and Spa, says that the Sundolitt XPS allows speed and simplicity of installation with minimal on-site preparation. It also guarantees high insulation performance which will help keep energy costs down at the centre – a crucial factor as 85% of running costs have to come from police donations.

The project is due to be completed by spring next year and is being funded by The Police Treatment Centres, the registered charity which runs Castlebrae. Deputy chief executive and centre manager Paul Grant said: “Every 27 minutes a police officer is assaulted on the street. They come to us for help and support – most with the intention of wanting to get back on the front line. The refurbishment of Castlebrae’s treatment pool is vital to many patients’ rehabilitation.”

Sundolitt XPS has already proved ideal in industrial floors such as cold stores and chilled

warehouses where high insulation, high strength attributes are critical but, in this application, it is helping keep water temperature up and the running costs down as well as providing rigid support and protection against differential heave for the pool.

“XPS is now a preferred solution for a wide range of applications where extreme strength is needed combined with high insulation properties. This includes solid flooring and foundations, inverted roofing and for insulating railway lines, airports and roads wherever heavy loads and high moisture levels are encountered,” said Bryan Mawer, Sundolitt’s sales manager construction products and their specialist in XPS. Sundolitt XPS is manufactured in a wide range of thicknesses and sheet sizes - the primary range has a thermal conductivity of 0.033 – 0.037 W/ mK (EN 13164). According to the type of use, it achieves outstanding compression resistance from

200 – 700 kPa (EN826) and offers exceptionally low moisture absorption through its closed-pore system. This makes it an ideal thermal insulator for a wide range of commercial and domestic construction applications.

“Our XPS is unaffected by rain, snow or frost and can be stored outside. We also make it available in square or shiplap edge – the latter having the advantage of preventing thermal bridging should the XPS boards part slightly during installation,” said Bryan Mawer.

Sundolitt XPS can also make a major contribution to the UK’s carbon reduction programmes. It is made without using environmentally harmful gases and is fully recyclable if recovered at end-of-life. And with the built-environment accounting for 40% of Europe’s energy consumption, the greater energy efficiency that comes from using Sundolitt XPS can, in some cases, reduce total energy consumption in buildings and structures by 75%.

On any given week there can be more than 60 officers resident at the Castlebrae Centre and the new development will help overcome the limitations on class size imposed by the older facilities as well as allowing for the increasing demand for rest, recuperation and professional help in getting back to good health.

“We’re pleased to be playing a small part in such an important project,” said Bryan Mawer. “One thing is for sure, XPS will keep performing for a very long time to come.” q • Sundolitt’s UK expert team can help and advise architects and specifiers on the most appropriate specification for their needs.

Specifiers can call the Sundolitt UK Head Office on 01786 471 586 or for further information visit www.sundollitt.co.uk.

Donations to The Police Treatment Centres are crucial to their ongoing work. Please donate by visiting www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org.

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Guild introduces new membership category [

THE GUILD OF BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS is pleased to announce the introduction of a new grade of membership – the membership category ‘Trusted Member’. Trusted Membership is open to builders, specialist contractors and construction consultants who can satisfy the higher standards required.

These standards, which have to be maintained every year, include more vigorous financial and credit checks, a comprehensive level of insurance cover and additional customer references. Due diligence checks are carried out every year and membership is only continued if the member maintains the required standard.

Prospective clients wishing to appoint a firm to carry out building work will feel more confident of a member who has demonstrated that he satisfied the Guild of Builders and Contractors that he is trading with integrity, is adequately insured, is financially stable and that his past customers have been sufficiently satisfied to give him a good reference.

In order to become a ‘Trusted Member’ of the Guild of Builders and Contractors applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are experienced and knowledgeable and take pride in their workmanship and achievements. They must fulfil a number of conditions on application and then annually.

They must be able to demonstrate successful trading over a minimum period of three years by providing three customer referees, a reference

from their accountants and insurance brokers, three years audited trading accounts and appropriate insurance cover details. They must also agree to provide similar information annually.

All work carried out by a Trusted Member must comply with ‘Relevant Standards’. This involves the Trusted Member being confident of his ability to do the work before contracting to carry it out. The Trusted Members, their employees and sub-contractors must act in a courteous manner and respect the privacy and property of the client.

Trusted Members must be clear about the nature and extent of the services that will be provided for their clients. This should involve providing the client with a written contract. Trusted Members must provide their clients with clear information on the cost involved in carrying out the work or providing a service and whether this represents an estimate or firm quotation. Trusted Members must agree the price for the project, materials or service and how they wish to be paid – for example on completion or in stages.

This should involve providing the client with details of the deposit required and the payment stages or valuation periods. Full payment should not normally be requested in advance. However, a deposit is appropriate to cover the purchase of materials as are stage payments if the work is likely to take over four weeks. Stage payments every two weeks would not be considered unreasonable.

Trusted Members must advise clients on when work will start, the particular implications of any stages of work and when work will be finished. They must also provide clients with appropriate information for each job prior to starting any work. Clients must also be kept fully aware of any alterations to timetables and explanations for changes should always be given.

The annual subscription for Trusted Membership is £300.00 including VAT and there is a joining fee of £50.00 including VAT. q • For further information visit www.buidersguild.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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New exhibition will celebrate Scotland’s construction boom [A MAJOR NEW exhibition and conference will be taking place in

Glasgow in November, dedicated to showcasing the increasing importance of construction activity in Scotland.

Scotland Build 2015 has been organised by the specialist events company Oliver Kinross to focus on the building and construction boom across the country. It will take place at the Glasgow’s SECC on 25 - 26 November and will host more than 125 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and projects across the whole of Scotland.

They will include a wide range of suppliers and contractors showing off the latest innovations and hi-tech solutions to drive the industry’s growth.

Leading names from across the industry – incuding Celotex-Saint Gobain, Interserve, Balfour Beatty, Kingspan, CITB and Brookfield Multiplex – will be among the many players in attendance.

Duncan Booker, Sustainable Glasgow programme manager at Glasgow City Council, extended a warm welcome: “Glasgow is looking forward to welcoming Scotland Build for the first time at the SECC in November.

We’ve emerged from some really challenging times and there is now growing confidence across the whole construction sector. So it’s all the more important that we have a place like Scotland Build where everyone involved in the built environment can come together, learn from one another and look forward to a profitable future.”

Alongside the exhibition, a major two-day conference will examine many of the main issues facing the industry today, as well as celebrating its successes.

Over the past 12 months the construction industry in Scotland has outperformed most other parts of the UK as the economy returns to pre-2008 levels and the Scottish government has made significant infrastructure investment. There are currently close to £40bn worth of contracts to be awarded in the country in the coming few years.

Housing construction is on the rise – in addition to many private initiatives the Scottish government is building nearly five times as many council houses as the rest of the UK. Furthermore, as part of the government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan, substantial capital has been set out to invest in numerous large-scale construction projects linked to transport, housing, healthcare and education.

Both of those areas will be reflected at Scotland Build, with top executives from leading housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel and major works constructor Keir among the speakers at the conference.

From council houses to private developments; transport projects to healthcare construction; new colleges to prisons, the number of infrastructure and construction projects across Scotland is vast and continually increasing.

Scotland Build is set to be one of the most important meetings of construction industry figureheads in the country since the recession, offering countless opportunities for networking and business development.

The conference sessions, training workshops and exhibition are free to attend. Registration is available at www.scotlandbuildexpo.com. q

Scotland Build 2015 will take place at SECC www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Geotechnical solutions overcome housing challenges [

WHETHER IT BE level differences, vulnerable embankments or watercourses – indeed whatever challenges your housing development poses – global engineers Maccaferri have the solutions to overcome them, and to help you to create great looking features in the process.

Because with Maccaferri you don’t just get solutions, you get specialist

geotechnical solutions – each one engineered to be as versatile, costeffective and environmentally sound as possible.

This is everything you would expect from the market leader in geotechnics – and more. Below are three examples of the challenges that the company, who have a Scottish base in Perth, have overcome. q

Case study 1 Challenge: Turn a former quarry site into a quality housing development Solution: Mass gravity walls, reinforced soil walls, erosion protection and soil anchors This ambitious scheme was undertaken in phases over a number of years and Maccaferri were on hand at every turn, creating level platforms in cuttings, extending platforms out over slopes, diverting water courses and constructing a spill way.

Drawing from a range of solutions, they designed, supplied and installed mass gravity structures, gabions and timber crib in areas of cut and Gabion Terramesh® in areas of fill. The water course was then diverted via a combination of Reno Mattress®, gabions, soil anchors, MacMat® R and biodegradable matting.

Case study 2 Challenge: Creation of SUDS pond to accommodate the run off from the development Solution: Shaped and terraced gabion walls As part of the development, a significant SUDS pond was needed. Given the required size of the pond however, the client was keen to soften its aesthetic impact and also open it up for use as an amenity for the community.

The approach of shaped and terraced gabions, delivered on both fronts, provided the desired SUDS pond with an area of permanent reed bed.

Case study 3 Challenge: Space constraints Solution: MacWall®…Concrete backfilled A slim-line retaining wall with the strength to support a cut face at the rear of the site. That, in a nutshell, was what the client was looking for to maximise the developable area. Only trouble was, there was insufficient room to accommodate a conventional mass gravity wall gabion or timber crib.

Not one to shy away from a geotechnical challenge, Maccaferri designed, supplied and installed a concrete backfilled MacWall® – the mass gravity solution with the narrowest crosssection – complete with ‘split and rumble’ finish facing blocks to provide an attractive finish to the rear gardens.

• Find out more by emailing perth@uk.maccaferri.com or visiting maccaferri.com/uk. Alternatively visit them at Stand E16 at Scotland Build 2015.

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Debates will reflect Scotland’s construction priorities [

THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE at Scotland Build will involve over 50 top-level speakers. Headline talks will be delivered by William McBride of the Westcrowns Group, who is also chair of the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, on the innovation and future of the Scottish construction industry and by Rufus Logan from BRE, who will continue the theme of innovation with his case study presentation on the afternoon of day one.

In an interview ahead of the conference, William McBride said: “I think that if you keep in mind that it is estimated some 10% of all Scottish jobs are in the construction sector and they are spread across some 31,000 businesses producing a GVA of some £8.7bn, you can understand why our sector is so important to the Scottish Government and why they are continually looking at ways to support it.”

Day one will also feature discussions on digital technology and the skills shortage. Gordon Reid and Philip McDowell from Kier Construction will discuss projects at Ayr Academy and Marr College. Philip McDowell recently spoke of the projects’ impact on the local economy.

He said: “The projects will have a significant impact on the South Ayrshire economy over the next two years and beyond. In addition, we are committed to working with hub South West and SAC to actively encourage small and medium sized enterprises to join our hub SW Supplier Network.

“Additional support is also available via our Skills Academy generating work placements, apprenticeships and training opportunities.”

Day two of the conference will see a keynote speech from Gordon

Gilchrist, ePlanning and eBuilding Standards operations manager at the Scottish Government, followed by a presentation on Furthering your Career in Construction by Ed Monaghan, CEO of the Mactaggart & Mickel Group and chair of Construction Scotland.

Case study presentation will include an update from Transport Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow on the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in South Glasgow, and Scottish Water, who will be describing the Shieldhall Strategic Tunnel development. The concluding session will by dominated by discussions on sustainable development and renewable energy. q

Simplifying flooring specification at Scotland Build [ VISITORS TO SCOTLAND BUILD will be able to find out how

the nation’s burgeoning construction industry can utilise Flowcrete’s specialist solutions to create floor areas tailored to the challenging requirements of large-scale commercial environments.

On stand E36, Flowcrete UK will be demonstrating the potential of its Floorzone concept to combine resin floor finishes with highperformance screeds and efficient underfloor heating systems.

Floorzone has been designed to simplify the specification process, as every element of the floor’s build up, from the substrate to the finish, can be sourced from one expert supplier and under one warranty.

The robust nature of resin floors makes them ideal for major infrastructure projects such as hospitals, schools, high-rise buildings and transport hubs, as they create a seamless, easy to clean finish that can retain an unblemished, colourful and attractive surface for an extended period of time.

The variety of finishes available means that designers can choose the style that matches their aesthetic criteria combined with the required functionality and installation speeds. The resin systems available within Floorzone include the decorative seamless resin terrazzo Mondéco range as well as the fast curing methyl methacrylate (MMA) enhanced Flowfast collection.

These finishes can be combined with the Isocrete Green Screeds range, which utilises recycled materials to enhance a building’s eco credentials. For sites that need the sturdiest screed solution, Flowcrete UK’s market leading Isocrete K-Screed has been formulated to provide one of the most robust screed layers on the market.

Isocrete screeds can incorporate Isowarm Underfloor Heating and Isocrete Acoustic K Foam Insulation to deliver a floor area that provides ultra-efficient temperature control while reducing noise transfer around the building.

As Scotland’s construction sector goes from strength to strength, having reached a record output this year, it is the ideal time for architects, specifiers and construction professionals to learn about the advantages of resin flooring solutions.

If you’d like to talk about the flooring challenges within a particular Scottish project or to learn more about the ways that Floorzone can actively enhance a large-scale commercial environment, talk to Flowcrete UK’s resin flooring experts on stand E36 of Scotland Build. q • For further infomation visit www.flowcrete.com, email uk@flowcrete.com or call 01270 753000. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity shining brighter through new Helpline

“The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is dedicated to helping construction people and their dependents in times of need.”

[THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY is one

of the largest employers in the United Kingdom.

It provides many different forms of employment from PAYE workers and sole traders to subcontractors and self-employed workers.

The risks and hazards within the industry can be significant and the challenges this creates for the health, safety and welfare of workers and their families are many and varied. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has been responding to these challenges since it's formation in 1956, by providing financial assistance to workers and families in need.

Many larger companies support their staff through Employee Assistance Schemes. These schemes offer help and advice on a portfolio of health and welfare matters outside the scope of the normal HR department. However, due to the fragmented nature of our industry, many members of the construction community do not have access to this helpful and in some cases critical information. They are either self-employed or work for small and medium sized companies that cannot afford to offer such a benefit.

In conjunction with Considerate Contractors, the charity has launched a new Construction Industry Helpline to offer an essential portfolio of welfare and support services to everyone within the construction community.

This confidential 24/7 helpline service is open for calls on 0845 605 1956. The service not only acts as a conduit to access the charity’s traditional emergency financial assistance, it also delivers: • advice on occupational health and wellbeing • issues as an employee or an employer • support and advice for sufferers of stress and • addiction related illnesses • advice on matters ranging from divorce to • employment • advice on specific tax related issues concerning • employment within the construction sector • help to manage and reschedule debt • help to understand the benefits system and • entitlement, especially for those caring for • others • support on career changes, especially after • accident or injury preventing return to their • original job.

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has provided the initial funding for this Helpline and is now actively seeking financial and other volunteer support from the major operators within our Industry to secure the future of this valuable service for the construction community.

Bill Hill, CEO of Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Scotland Build has chosen us as their charity partner and look forward to working with them to make this event a great success.”

Since launching the Helpline earlier this year, the charity has received over 500 calls for help and has granted over £250,000 in emergency financial aid to construction families in need.

The charity receives no public funding and relies entirely on the generosity and support of companies operating in the sector to support the people working in the sector.

Bill Hill added: “This is a big departure from the traditional services offered by our charity and we know that our new 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline will provide a valuable big

company benefit to many members of our construction community who are in need of help, advice and support but do not have the opportunity to access it.”

Cormac MacCrann, managing director of Canary Wharf Contractors and the charity chairman, said: “In the past our charitable activity has been by way of reacting to requests for emergency financial aid. This new Construction Industry Helpline provides a proactive service and allows engagement with the community we support at a much earlier stage. I would encourage all the major operators within our industry to get behind this much needed initiative.”

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has been providing emergency financial assistance to the construction community since 1956. It exists to ‘eradicate poverty, promote health and safety initiatives and deliver education projects within the construction community through a national network of engaged, motivated corporate supporters and individual volunteers’.

It does this by: • providing financial assistance, welfare and • wellbeing advice and emotional and legal • support to the construction community to • relieve hardship and stress • promoting initiatives aimed at avoiding • accidents and improving safety on • construction sites • supporting educational initiatives aimed at • improving employment and career • opportunities within the construction industry.

The charity receives no public finance and relies on support from within the industry and its nationwide network of 22 independent, volunteer managed Regional Lighthouse Clubs to fund its charitable work. The charity also encourages an annual membership scheme for individual and company supporters. q • For further information contact Bill Hill on 0845 609 1956 or 07776 177 298, email Bill.Hill@lighthouseClub.org or visit the website at www.LighthouseClub.org. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Looking to reduce costs and improve your business’s green credentials?

VG Energy has the right turnkey solution for you

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THE RISING PRICE of electricity and heat is often at the forefront of every business owner’s thoughts. Over the last ten years fuel prices have soared and are often unpredictable and costly.

Renewable technology specialists VG Energy have worked with many construction companies to turn their quarterly overheads into a profit!

By assessing a client’s needs they can find a solution to potentially eliminate the company’s utility bills, or at the very least fix the price for the foreseeable future. In addition to this, the Government is offering generous subsidies which are guaranteed for twenty years, providing many customers with additional income and peace of mind.

With over 1,200 installations VG Energy are recognised as market leaders for Combined Heat and Power Units (CHP), Biomass, Wind Turbines and Solar PV. They bring industry leading capabilities and specialist expertise to fully complete projects from start to finish with in-house personnel.

They offer an obligation free energy assessment followed by a bespoke solution for your business.

Renewable technologies don’t need to cost the earth, and VG Energy work with a number of finance companies to provide clients with a solution that won’t affect their cash flow.

The company has continued to lead the way in the renewable technology industry and are well known for providing quality products, efficient installation and a high level of aftercare.

VG Energy is able to service and maintain any gas, oil or biomass boiler. In addition they can service commercial gas and oil appliances. They have an experienced team of fully qualified service technicians operating UK wide to improve the operational efficiency of their clients’ boilers and appliances, saving their businesses money!

VG Energy are currently offering some fantastic servicing packages to suit your business.q • If you would like any more information please contact VG Energy on 01563 829990, email info@vgenergy.co.uk or visit their new website www.vgenergy.co.uk. Alternatively visit them at Stand C26 at Scotland Build 2015. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Busy times for expanding multidisciplinary company [

IT HAS BEEN an extremely busy few months for Neo Environmental who have established three new offices as part of an expansion program. Two of these are based in the UK, in Warwickshire and Belfast, with the third established in Naas in the Republic of Ireland. The company is also now launching a new website in both the UK and Ireland and has also just rebranded.

The new offices have been established due to increased demands for their services from existing and new clients in these areas. The company has already completed numerous projects across Ireland and the Warwick office provides a greater presence in England.

The company has also increased its capabilities and services, with geophysical surveys, topographic surveys and soil assessments now provided by in-house specialists.

Neo Environmental Ltd is a multidisciplinary consultancy that aims to provide cost effective environmental and technical solutions to clients working in the residential, retail, utilities, mixed-use, aggregates and infrastructure sectors across the UK and Ireland.

Clients range from developers, planning consultants, architects and engineers to community groups and public bodies. The company was formally established in 2012 with its head office based in Glasgow. They have expanded significantly, with full EIA and bespoke environmental and technical

assessments completed on over 400 projects across Ireland and the UK. With the new offices now established, the company has extensive geographical coverage across the whole of the UK and Ireland. They have been commissioned to complete works for public sector organisations and on industry research projects with academic institutions.

Their team consists of experienced multidisciplinary consultants – including EIA project managers, landscape architects, ecologists, heritage and archaeological consultants, environmental engineers, acousticians, hydrologists, geophysical surveyors, graphic designers and specialist technicians.

Various environmental and technical consultants provide market leading expertise which has resulted in an enviable track record in helping clients attain consent and discharging conditions. They work across many different sectors for a diverse range of clients and are equally adept at conducting full EIAs or bespoke environmental and technical assessments.

The company’s staff have been involved in numerous appeals, acted as clerks of works, conducted due diligence assessments, full EIAs, standard environmental reports and much more. They offer extremely competitive rates and with integrated, multi-disciplinary packages, clients can rest assured that all the various consultants are liaising in-house on every aspect of the project.

They are a ‘one stop shop’ for environmental and technical solutions for developments.

Where Neo Environmental are employed to complete all environmental aspects (such as EIAs) this ensures that everything is being collated by their project managers and clients have one point of contact. They are equally as effective when producing bespoke assessments.

Neo Environmental’s capabilities and service have increased dramatically over the past 12 months, with the company receiving requests for various assessments for residential, mixeduse and infrastructural developments. The company’s services include: • Landscape • Ecology • Archaeology & Cultural Heritage • Acoustics • Traffic & Transport • Hydrology & Flood Risk Assessments • Archaeology Geophysical Surveys • Topographic Surveys • Design Services • Arboriculture • Soil Assessments • Ornithology Some examples of projects for which the company has completed environmental assessments include large residential developments in Ayrshire and Oban, two full EIAs for quarries in Galway, BREEAM work for a school in Slough, a utilities project in Cornwall and the A82 road upgrade project in Scotland. q

STAND A35

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Metrotile – the future proof roof

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BY UTILISING THE highest quality steel and acrylic stone coating, Metrotile Lightweight Roofing offers roofing systems that can be summarised as the evolution of roofing materials. From the moment the tiles are pressed in the factory to the very end of their long, long life, Metrotile roof profiles offer greater benefits than those of so-called traditional roofing materials.

This is because steel can maintain its strength, even when pressed into tiles which are .450mm-thick, leading to an extremely strong and durable rooftop that weighs just one seventh of a slate or clay equivalent. This inherent lightweight also offers benefits when delivering to site, as only one seventh of transportation requirements are also needed, leading to savings both financially and environmentally. The tiles can be easily stored and moved around site, and swiftly installed, allowing the roof top be completed sooner and internal trades to enter faster.

The lightweight design also makes the system ideal for modular/ factory build projects as the reduced roof weight allows for an easier transportation to site.

Metrotile can be installed to pitches as low as 10 degrees, so wherever there’s a pitched roof requirement or for when a roof has been converted from flat to pitch, Metrotile is suitable. From applications on smaller outbuildings, such as conservatories and sunrooms, up to sprawling multi-campus education building projects, Metrotile Lightweight Roofing is the ideal roofing solution.

This has seen Metrotile roofing specified by many councils, housing associations, new-build housing developers, conservatory manufacturers and self builders over the years – and right now it is more popular than ever, covering refurbished roofs of old properties to innovative, forwardthinking new designs.

Metrotile also offers both integrated and retrofit photovoltaic options, enabling the

generation of energy from the roof. This means that if you are looking for your building project to take advantage of Government solar energy incentives, you need look no further.

The aesthetic results of a Metrotile roof are also stunning. Available in a variety of profile designs, a wide range of standard colours is available but, with a little more lead time, you can actually produce a roof in any colour your project requires. Whatever you choose, a Metrotile roof’s stone coating and styles – based on such classic shapes including the pantile, slate or roman designs – will assure your roof looks great alongside its natural surroundings.

Every Metrotile roof comes with an industry-leading forty year guarantee along with a full specification service as part of a customer support service the company prides itself on. Metrotile are also members of NBS Plus and the NBS BIM Library, and their tiles and accessories are available for free download. q • To find out more about Metrotile you can visit them at Stand C18 at Scotland Build 2015. Alternatively, visit www.metrotile.co.uk where you can also find all the information you will ever need, their video installation guides and the Metrotile Blog. They can also be followed on Twitter via @metrotileuk.

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How to keep up to date and in touch [

SCOTLAND BUILD OFFERS two practical routes to gaining real benefits from attending – CPD-accredited training sessions and an opportunity to Meet the Buyer.

There are a total of 22 free CPD-accredited training workshops available to all visitors. Those attending the workshops will be provided with a CPD certificate within 28 working days after the expo, counting towards their professional development and portfolios. Registration is free via the website at www.scotlandbuildexpo.com.

The sessions have been grouped into four themes. On day one, Workshop 1 revolves around Architecture, Design, BIM and Sustainable Building. Sessions will cover contracts, working with BIM, energy efficiency, environmental management and PassivHaus.

Workshop 2 will examine issues associated with Safety, Security and Building Regulation, including fire detection, access and evacuation, organised crime, dispute resolution and CDM 2015.

On day two, Workshop 1 – Building Solutions and Materials – will contain sessions on photovoltaics, ventilation, sustainability in paint and roofing, and energy efficiency.

Workshop 2 will cover Marketing Tools, Business Skills and Innovation.

Sessions will deal with winning bids and growing a business, press relations and career paths and apprenticeships.

There will also be six VIP Meet the Buyer sessions running over the course of the two days. Each session will kick off with a 10-minute keynote presentation from a leading industry body, followed by a panel of

construction experts discussing the latest innovations, developments and opportunities across each sector.

The sessions will provide a unique platform for extensive networking and business exchange for all parties involved. Complimentary lunch and beverages will be served after each panel discussion for all registered VIP attendees. Again, registration is available via the website. q

Glasgow is the place as roofers make the connection

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GLASGOW WILL BE a busy place for the construction industry in November. Scotland Build at the SECC follows hard on the heels of the presentation of the Scottish Roofing Contractor Awards for 2015, at the city’s Grand Central Hotel. Those awards will be presented at a special celebratory luncheon by BBC Scotland news presenter and reporter Catriona Shearer.

The two events are connected in more ways than one. When the finalists were announced in October it emerged that a frontrunner in not one, but two of the categories was the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in South Glasgow, which is the subject of a presentation at the Scotland Build conference by David Loudon of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Prater has been nominated in both the External Cladding/Rainscreen and the Liquid Applied Waterproofing categories for the project.

Moreover, Marley Eternit are running the CPD-accredited training session of sustainable roofing. Their sister company Marley Contract Services have secured two nominations in the Roof Tiling category for Corstorphine Gate, Edinburgh and Links Road in Prestwick. q

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NASC president’s New Apprenticeship Challenge hits 400 goal [

NASC PRESIDENT Kevin Ward’s ‘New Apprenticeship Challenge’ to create 400 scaffolding apprentices in his two year tenure has been achieved – three months before the November 2015 deadline.

Mr Ward (pictured) will be announcing the good news and providing the final apprenticeship numbers – along with the grand total figure of money raised for the chosen Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) charity – at the confederation’s AGM in Leeds in November.

Mr Ward, who was once a scaffolding apprentice himself, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that we have reached the goal of 400 new scaffolding apprenticeships, and earlier than anticipated too. Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the industry and I am pleased the NASC member companies are doing their bit to fill the skills gap in the construction industry, whilst also raising much needed funds for a great cause, one that is close to my own heart.

I am very grateful for the generous support of our members on both counts.

“Bringing in all this essential new blood is vital for the scaffolding sector and I could not be more delighted at the response from NASC

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member companies in terms of the number of new CISRS apprentices being taken on. I wish them all a long and rewarding career in our proud industry.”

NASC managing director, Robin James, said: “We are very pleased at the response to the NASC’s New Apprenticeship Challenge.

The creation of over 400 apprenticeships in just two years – boosting the scaffolding industry and raising money for a great charity simultaneously – is an absolutely superb achievement and a lasting legacy from Mr Ward’s presidency.”

NASC training manager and CISRS scheme manager, Dave Mosley, added: “What an excellent achievement. It shows the commitment of the membership in relation to employing apprentices, whilst helping a very worthy cause at the same time. This really is a ‘good news’ story – particularly when the future of employer funding for apprenticeships is looking so uncertain. It’s great to be able to support such a positive initiative.”

Michelle Aucott, regional fundraising manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, West Midlands, said: “We are delighted to

have the support of NASC and its sponsor members. The money raised from the New Apprenticeship Challenge will help to support young people with cancer, so they don’t have to face their diagnosis alone.” q • For details and updates on the New Apprenticeship Challenge visit the NASC website at www.nasc.org.uk.

Scaffolding products Code of Practice updated [

THE NASC Code of Practice (CoP) product compliance list, documenting compliant scaffolding products currently supplied by audited NASC hire/sale members, has recently been updated.

The Code of Practice was originally introduced in 2007 for system scaffolds and its scope has since been expanded to incorporate EN39 tube, EN74-1 couplers, BS2482 timber board and aluminium beams. TG20 compliant unit transoms and high tensile 3.2mm tube will be added in 2016.

Audits are carried out by a third party consultancy company, QSI Ltd, at member company UK sites and in the majority of cases at manufacturing sites worldwide. The audit is

specific to new products at point of entry to the UK. NASC MD, Robin James, said: “The rationale behind the NASC CoP audit was to introduce a level of compliance that supplier members should adhere to, with the audit covering Quality Systems & Procedures, Product Testing, Raw Material & Components and Process Control. Where appropriate relevant BS, EN and ISO Standards are utilised.

“We are confident that the scaffolding industry and the wider construction sector will find the NASC CoP compliant product list a very useful document.” q

TATA Excellence Award for XERVON Palmers supervisor [

XERVON PALMERS site supervisor, Stuart Myers, has been presented with an Excellence Award by TATA at their Skinningrove Steel Works on Teesside, in the North East of England.

The TATA award has been given in recognition of Stuart’s – and his XERVON Palmers team’s – efforts and support shown in providing expert scaffolding and access services in the first week of the shutdown at the steel plant.

Mr S. Wood, the lead engineer with TATA, congratulated Stuart and commented: “I would like to personally thank Stuart for his valued contribution to Skinningrove and congratulate him on this TATA Excellence Award. The people we employ are an integral part of the success of our business – we can only reach our goals and targets and realise our full potential through the passion, commitment and dedication of people like Stuart. Thank you once again for your contribution. I urge you to continue making that difference and help to drive us forward.”

Ian McFarlane, director for business and project development at XERVON Palmers, said: “Stuart’s commitment to the TATA Skinningrove shutdown helps demonstrate that our people really do make the difference at XERVON Palmers – helping us continue to provide a quality service with our key clients, like TATA. Receiving recognition like this for our operatives helps us all to contribute together in working for future success on projects like this across the UK.” Donald Morrison, CEO of XERVON Palmers, added: “Congratulations to Stuart and his team at Skinningrove. It’s dedication to high standards, safety

and quality workmanship like this that helps make XERVON Palmers what it is – one of Europe’s leading scaffolding and access providers, working with the best names in high-end construction, industrial, petro-chemical, power and rail sectors.” q

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Testing leads to updated advice on impact wrenches

[FURTHER TO A previous statement made by the NASC in 2012,

the confederation received an increasing number of enquiries regarding its stance on the use of impact wrenches during erection, dismantling and alterations to scaffolding.

In order to provide clarity and advice for members and other users of impact wrenches, the NASC has recently completed some testing. A wide range of drop forged couplers from different suppliers in various conditions – new, used, lubricated and unlubricated – were tightened using two popular types of impact wrench as well as a traditional scaffolding spanner. In excess of 60 tests were completed.

The subsequent results data indicated that there were no concerns or adverse effects in respect of any of the tests carried out – for both impact wrenches and traditional scaffold spanner. It was therefore the view of the confederation that the use of impact wrenches is acceptable. However, it was felt that there were0 several important recommendations which should be considered by the employer prior to authorising the use of impact wrenches by employees.

The recommended force required to tighten a fitting is 50 N/mtr as stated in EN 74, although most wrenches have stated torque settings in excess of this figure. However, during testing it was noted that settings published by the manufacturer can differ greatly from what is actually achieved.

The NASC therefore recommend that any employer considering authorising the use of impact wrenches carries out testing to establish that the impact wrench they intend to authorise for use is capable of applying the correct torque to scaffold fittings on a consistent and recurring basis. Further to completion of an adequate risk assessment by the employer, the impact wrench may then be deemed fit for purpose.

It is also recommended that prior to use of an impact wrench on site, the employee should first undergo a suitable period of training, familiarisation and monitoring to ensure that the impact wrench is being used in the correct manner at all times.

The NASC recognises that impact wrenches can offer certain benefits.

However, members and users of such equipment should be aware that there is potential for concern regarding use and operation. Employers should adequately assess the risk for their own particular situation and ensure that they put in place protocols to cover safe use. It is recommended that any assessment should also address noise and hand/ arm vibration.

In addition to the initial training and familiarisation phases, the NASC recommends that employers should carry out regular toolbox talks refreshing operatives with company policy and rules for the safe use of impact wrenches.

In the event that a nut is stripped off the ‘T’ bolt, it is recommended that the fitting should be returned to the employer’s yard where a new replacement ensemble (‘T’ bolt, nut and washer) can be fitted by the company’s maintenance team.

Impact wrenches are normally supplied with rechargeable lithium batteries that provide a more stable power pack. However the confederation recommends that all users follow manufacturer’s instructions and that battery life should be monitored.

The NASC statement only applies to drop forged scaffold fittings and they do not recommend the use of impact wrenches with ‘pressed’ type scaffold fittings.

The NASC has developed a basic Tool Box Talk which members and other users of impact wrenches may find useful. They will continue to monitor the situation and will issue further information if required. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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CISRS Part 1 course requirement now active [THE RECENT AMENDMENT to the CISRS Part 1 course rules on

eligibility of delegates – that it is a scheme requirement for anyone wishing to attend a CISRS Part 1 Scaffolding Training course to have held a valid CISRS Trainee Scaffolder or Labourer card for a minimum of six months – is now active.

CISRS scheme manager Dave Mosley said: “We contacted approved training providers and the NASC membership directly and advertised the changes extensively in the trade press over the last six months, giving people plenty of time to get prepared, before the deadline of 1st September.

“Since the scheme began around 40 years ago, in order to be eligible to attend the Part 1 course, a delegate must have had a minimum of six months on-site experience as a trainee scaffolder or labourer working under the direct supervision of a qualified scaffolder. They were not however requested to provide a copy of a valid CISRS card at this stage to demonstrate registration to the scheme and establish their time in the industry.

“The on-going CISRS standardisation programme highlighted this loophole. Around two years ago the CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS) course was introduced for new entrant trainees and labourers, which allowed a lot of the essential generic health and safety, manual handling and component recognition type training to be delivered in the initial stages of an individual’s career – anyone applying for a CISRS Trainee or Labourer card after June 2013 was required to complete COTS training.”

The Introduction of the COTS course allowed the CISRS standardisation group to consider reducing time spent on those modules within the Part 1 programme in favour of more up to date industry guidance and best practice – for example TG20:13 – and introduction to scaffold inspection.

Although it was becoming an increasingly rare occurrence, some delegates were still attending Part 1 courses without having completed COTS training or holding a CISRS Labourer or Trainee card. There had

New CISRS logos unveiled [CISRS HAVE UNVEILED a range of new logos to modernise

branding, using their orange, black and white company colours.

The logos have been designed in-house and feature a range of striking designs for use on different coloured backgrounds, they are: • Orange logo with black company name • Orange logo with white company name • Black logo with orange company name The new logos will be forwarded to CISRS training providers initially and then rolled out throughout the rest of the year, with a view to complete integration in early 2016.

CISRS scheme manager Dave Mosley said: “We have had the old

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silver and white CISRS logo for many years now and felt the time had come to modernise and bring it into line with the orange, black and white designs of our advertising campaigns. The rotation of the colours will provide a ‘home and away strip’ scenario and will be helpful particularly if the training providers wish to use the new logo alongside their own corporate colours or branding.

“We are aware the integration of a new logo can take time to achieve, but hope that by the early part of 2016 everyone will be using the new designs, and that they will be well-received by the scaffolding, training and wider construction industries. The CISRS website, which will also be receiving a re-vamp, will include the new logos.” q

been instances where a delegate claimed to have had the relevant prior on site experience however, upon attending the course, it was apparent that this was not the case and they subsequently failed the course.

As such, it was agreed by CISRS and the Access and Scaffolding Industry Training Organisation (ASITO) that this loophole should be should be closed as of September 1st 2015.

Mr Mosley continued: “The new rule was initially going to be introduced with immediate effect in the spring, but it was felt that industry should

be given an appropriate notice period to be made aware of the changes to the scheme. This would also accommodate those who had previously booked a Part 1 course prior to the announcement. The rule has now been implemented since 1st September.

“We think that this is a sensible change of scheme rules and is basically a case of housekeeping. The standardisation programme has highlighted a few minor anomalies within current scheme criteria and these are now being addressed.” q

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Green building show returns to Manchester [

NOVEMBER WILL ONCE again see Manchester hosting Greenbuild Expo. The annual showcase for green building and refurbishment will take place on 10 - 11 November at Manchester Central.

The show has grown over the past couple of years and now encompasses a number of events packaged into one. This year the main Greenbuild Expo and Ignition events are joined

by Buildings and Energy Efficiency – a new sister-show aimed at the commercial buildings sector.

According to the organisers: “The new show will run alongside Greenbuild Expo and has been designed to highlight the technological developments in building and refurbishment

methods when it comes to energy efficiency.

Encouraging businesses and property owners to save some of the reported £1.6bn wasted on energy bills each year, it will also cover the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme and new legislation for energy performance of buildings.”

The evening of 10 November will see the Building and Energy Efficiency Awards, formerly the Greenbuild Awards. The awards ceremony at the Palace Hotel will be previewed at the exhibition by an Awards Area at the show highlighting the finalists.

A major feature of the main exhibition will be the Future Cities zone. The fully interactive area is designed to inspire people working in the built environment to look at things differently.

It is described by the organisers as: “A learning and realisation experience that the challenges for our UK cities are real and that some solutions in part may already exist.”

Presented in association with Future Cities Catapult, it combines a 110m2 interactive stand and two Future Cities debates on the central stage.

Running alongside the exhibition will be the Expert Conference, featuring key industry figures tackling important subjects. Legislation, the skills gap, ethical specification, BIM, fuel poverty, the building performance gap and more will all be covered.

Registration for Greenbuild Expo is free and available from greenbuildexpo.co.uk. q

Baker Consultants nominated for 2015 Wales Green Energy Award Spectrogram from bioacoustic recording of a nightjar song. The spectrogram is frequency plotted against time and shows a series of major (high frequency) and minor (low frequency) phrases

[

THE 2015 Wales Green Energy Awards finalists have been announced and Baker Consultants has been nominated alongside Newcastle University for a Contribution to Skills & Training award.

Baker Consultants’ nomination relates to their research and development of bioacoustics survey skills for the monitoring of European nightjar, a species of bird often perceived as being in conflict with wind farm developments and operations. Nightjars are widespread in Wales and can be a considerable constraint to development as they receive special legal protection.

Traditional survey methods used to establish the presence of nightjars, a bird both elusive and cryptic in behaviour, are expensive and can necessitate walked transect surveys, tape luring surveys and radio tracking to map their distribution and nest sites.

During 2013 and 2014, Baker Consultants carried out research into the use of bioacoustics survey methods as an alternative to conventional methods. Managing director, Andrew Baker said: “At their basic level, bioacoustics surveys involve placing recording devices out in the field, often for extended periods, and recording animal sounds.

This has many advantages over conventional survey techniques, as a large amount of data can be gathered over an extended period of time as recording devices are left unattended for up to three months.

“Such data is critical, making it possible to establish whether records of nightjar are simply those passing through or those with established

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territories on the site. This can provide crucial information regarding whether a development gains approval. Furthermore, the costs of bioacoustics surveys are much lower than conventional methods.”

Baker Consultants also funded research by Dr Mieke Zwart as part of a joint project led by Dr Mark Whittingham of Newcastle University.

The research proved that the use of bioacoustics was much more effective than established methods and was published as a peerreviewed paper.

This established the value of bioacoustics in nightjar surveying and paved the way for wider use of this cost-effective survey technique.

There is also considerable potential for further development of this technique to allow a more detailed understanding of the use of a site by nightjar and other important species.

The Wales Green Energy Awards are in their third year and are organised by RenewableUK Cymru to celebrate the success and achievements of the green energy industry in Wales. The award winners will be announced on Friday 6 November in Cardiff.

Baker Consultants has been providing ecological services to projects throughout Wales for a number of years and this year consolidated their presence with an office in Swansea following increased demand in the region and growth in the renewables sector. q • For more information please visit www.bakerconsultants.co.uk.

Newcomer Redsky Solar nominated for first award [

REDSKY SOLAR HAS been nominated for a Solar Power Portal Award, recognising ‘best of British solar expertise’ for the company’s first large-scale solar rooftop project.

Redsky was launched last year by leading building envelope contractor Longworth to capitalise on the group’s roofing expertise and offer solar installation by roofing experts.

Redsky partnered with TATA steel on the construction of a £6.5 million purpose-built automotive steel store for distributor A V Dawson and has now been nominated in the ‘greater than 250kW’ installation category for the 250kW Solar PV array.

Managing director Paul Smith said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for such a prestigious award so soon after launching Redsky Solar.

“Delivering a super-sized solar array can be extremely challenging and this project perfectly demonstrated how Longworth’s 150 years of roofing expertise is the perfect base on which to build a renewables company that can deliver quality Solar PV installations.

The £6.5 million purpose-built automotive steel store for distributor A V Dawson “Being recognised for our expertise with this nomination is a great honour and is an early success that we can build on as we continue to grow Redsky Solar.”

The project involved Redsky designing and installing a 1,000 Solar PV panel system to the warehouse roof to power heat pumps which maintain a constant temperature for steel storage and eradicate the risk of condensation.

Redsky faces competition from four

other solar installers for the award. When announcing the nominations Solar Power Portal said: “All of the shortlisted projects have overcome significant challenges to deliver truly standout solar arrays that will serve as the vanguard of the UK’s solar rooftop revolution.”

The winner will be announced at the Solar Power Portal Awards dinner in October. q • For further information visit the website www.redskysolar.co.uk.

What is the future for renewable heat? [

FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S decision to axe funding for renewable power installations on the basis that they are too expensive, the Chancellor has now managed to find £2 billion as an initial government guarantee for the Chinese to fund a new nuclear power station at Hinkley.

The power station will be designed and built by the French and will lock the UK into paying the highest rate for power anywhere in the world – £90/MWh, compared to power from onshore wind or solar of about £80/ MWh. This does not take full account of eventual decommissioning costs, which currently account for 95% of the entire DECC departmental budget.

John Findlay of Carbon Zero Consulting Ltd says: “For Osborne to claim that this shows the UK to be ‘leading the way in nuclear power’ is beyond absurd. We support the generation of nuclear power (using our own domestic engineering skills!) as it is a zero carbon power source well suited to driving low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps.

However, the government seem unable to grasp that we have to push-on with growth in renewable power and heating technologies at the same time as revamping nuclear capability.

“Dropping expansion of domestic renewable heating and power capability will leave us in the hands of foreign owners and operators of nuclear power plus the need to import more gas from politically unstable countries as our own reserves of shale gas are entirely unproven. Is this really where we want to be?” q • For further information on Carbon Zero Consulting visit the website at www.carbonzeroco.com. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Fuel poverty under the microscope with ‘micro district’ ground source schemes KENSA HEAT PUMPS’ innovative ‘micro ground source heat network’ has provided a financially compelling solution for social housing providers to tackle fuel poverty and achieve carbon saving objectives through the installation of ground source heat pumps, supported by the Non Domestic RHI, in both new build and existing housing stock.

A notable example of the micro ground source heat network in action has seen the replacement of night storage heaters across 30% of Trent & Dove Housing’s portfolio of off-gas electrically heated homes, with ground source heat pumps manufactured by Kensa. Nearly 200 ground source heat pump units are connected to a district heating system, allowing Trent & Dove to take control and transform the future of their local community with the benefits of greener, more affordable heating systems, which also provide a guaranteed annual return back for further investment into the community. The project’s success has spearheaded plans for the complete upgrade of the remainder of Trent & Dove’s offgas electrically heated homes using the same methodology.

The proven year round efficiencies of ground source heat pumps demonstrate the role they have to play in achieving the UK’s carbon targets and eliminating fuel poverty in social housing. Their cost, comparable to other renewable heating technology however, is often prohibitive, especially in the social housing sector. Therefore, in order to ensure their roll out throughout the UK’s social housing stock to achieve pressing fuel poverty and carbon objectives, Kensa Heat Pumps were challenged with demonstrating a compelling financial case in the face of ever-tightening budgets.

With the Domestic RHI unavailable for new build developers and structured in a way that fails to present a compelling case for social landlords in the retrofit sector, the opportunity for larger scale residential projects lies with district heating solutions and the Non Domestic phase of the RHI. Significantly for the residential sector, the Non Domestic RHI covers district heating installations both for existing buildings and – unlike the Domestic RHI – new build. Kensa has identified the significant opportunities for renewable heat installations that the Non Domestic RHI brings, and has innovated a ‘micro ground source heat network’ that allows social housing providers to realise the full potential of ground source heat pumps for as few as two properties in both new builds and existing housing stock.

Designed for groups of properties, Kensa’s micro heat network provides each home with its own ground source heat pump, ensuring heating and hot water independence.

[

The heat network is created by linking multiple properties to a communal ground array, designed to deliver an efficient, reliable and durable source of heat for the life of the property.

This approach is recognised by Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) and Ofgem as meeting the definitions of district heating, meaning both new build and retrofit installations are able to access generous payments for 20 years through the Non Domestic RHI. Systems replacing electric heating in existing housing stock are also able to tap into capital subsidy support through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

With no need for a plant room, Kensa’s solution overcomes the drawbacks of traditional ‘central plant’ district heating systems.

Efficiency isn’t compromised by heat loss in the distribution pipework and there is no need to meter and apportion energy bills between dwellings, thus avoiding the need to comply with the Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations 2014.

In brief, the advantages of micro heat networks are: • RHI & ECO eligible. Under DECC’s guidelines, as few as two properties linked together with a common ground array can be considered a heat network (or district) system, qualifying for the Non Domestic RHI and ECO. • Cost-effective. Drilling costs are reduced by allowing a smaller number of deeper boreholes.

• Flexible. Boreholes can be positioned flexibly across the site, as there is no specific requirement for a borehole within the curtilage of each plot.

• Robust. Communal nature of the array enhances design robustness, reducing risk of the ground being exhausted and allowing ‘diversity’ to be provided across the array.

• Scalable. Can be applied to apartment blocks, sheltered housing, clusters of terraced / semi-detached houses or bungalows.

• Simple billing. No centralised billing – each tenant has their own energy bill meaning the system is exempt from Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations 2014.

• Controllable. Featuring an individual heat pump in every property, tenants have absolute control over their own comfort levels and energy costs.

Kensa’s project for Trent & Dove Housing has garnered interest and praise from the DECC, with a recent visit from Lord Bourne, Parliamentary Under Secretary and Energy Minister. Lord Bourne expressed his admiration for the scheme, made possible largely due to the innovative way it accesses streams of government funding.

He said: “Social housing tenants in East Staffordshire are saving hundreds of pounds on their energy bills thanks to Trent & Dove’s innovative project, in partnership with Kensa. It’s great to see Trent & Dove putting the consumer at the heart of their plans, leading the way for others to follow.”

During his visit, Lord Bourne, visited tenants’ homes to see for himself the impact the installation of a renewable heating solution has had on them.

Mr Bullock, a Trent & Dove Housing tenant, has lived in his flat for the past 9 years – it was previously heated by electric night storage heaters. His new heating system was installed last week and he is already feeling the difference. “My flat has never felt so warm,” he said.

Phase one of the Trent & Dove project reports tenant fuel savings of between £350 - £750, and the systems have been certified independently by Ofgem to save 13500tCO2 in total. q

Lord Bourne, Trent & Dove tenant Mr Bullock and Dan Roberts (Kensa) with the new hot water cylinder and Kensa ground source heat pump.

The pump is below the cylinder and not visible in the photo

• Trent & Dove Housing and Kensa Heat Pumps have released a video documenting the first phase of the project which is available to view at www.kensaheatpumps.com/video/case-study-trent-dove-housing.

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The fabric of a building gives substance to its thermal performance ‘Think Fabric First’

by PETER HALL of Scotframe Timber Engineering Ltd

[ONE OF THE main issues around housing is

the amount of CO2 emissions that different types of design and construction generate over the lifetime of a property.

Our preoccupation with quick fixes and a massive media campaign around renewable energy has led many to believe the best solution in the battle to bring down CO2 emissions is to employ the likes of wind turbines, solar panels and thermal water heaters.

There is no doubt that all of these have their place and that where used appropriately they have an important role to play in the future of sustainable energy generation.

In practice, the energy efficiency of a building boils down to a couple of things – how much fuel is required to power its heating and water systems and how well the building manages to retain the heat that is generated.

The better a building performs in these two areas, the less fuel its occupants will use on a daily basis and the lower its emissions will be.

As such, the fabric of a building is central to its green credentials. Increasingly this is becoming a significant factor in the decision making process for all house builders.

Within the past few years, the building standard regulations have been amended to ensure all new properties deliver a 30% cut in the current benchmark for CO2 emissions. It is intended that this standard will then be reduced again by a further 30% in 2016.

Given the media attention surrounding the environment, the introduction of energy performance certificates for all properties and the changing legislation for new property emission targets, this is an issue that is becoming ever more central in the house buying process.

In the same way that fuel consumption for cars has become an important factor, people are being encouraged to look at the energy performance of a property, understand its ongoing running costs and include this in their purchasing decision.

For those looking to build their own house, constructing a property that meets not only today’s standards, but also those of the years to come, has significant benefits in relation to the day-to-day costs of living in the property. A well performing property will also be a lot more attractive to prospective buyers come the time to sell.

Scotframe has embraced this approach to construction and, using the very latest techniques

and materials, has recently brought to the market place an innovative and unique injected PU closed panel timber frame system called Val-U-Therm®.

Val-U-Therm® panels are factory injected with a high performance PU material which fills every void, making it exceptionally thermally efficient and virtually airtight.

In short, the fabric of the building and the way it is put together means homes of this type can be heated up very quickly and retain their temperature for incredibly long periods of time.

This reduces their energy needs significantly.

This is where our focus should lie, rather than with using renewable energy to make up for poor design and build quality.

If, over time, we can shrink the amount of energy required by our entire stock of housing, generating that energy from sustainable sources then becomes a much more viable option.

When we already have the technology to build houses that deliver excellent energy performances, prioritising this approach will deliver faster and longer lasting results than installing individual renewable energy sources that can provide a portion of a property’s energy needs.

When it comes to reducing CO2 emissions, the substance of the argument resides in the substance of the building and those taking this on board will achieve the biggest improvements. q • For further information contact Peter Hall, marketing manager at Scotframe, Inverurie Business Park, Souterford Avenue, Inverurie AB51 0ZJ. Tel 01467 626843, email peter. hall@scotframe.co.uk or visit the website at www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Expect the unexpected

limiting liabilities with brownfield sites

By FIONA TOWNLEY, Principal Scientist at RAW

[

SITE OWNERS, DEVELOPERS and contractors are faced with a range of liabilities and many potential pitfalls in brownfield land assessment and redevelopment: no project or scheme is immune to this. Typically associated with the underlying ground conditions, many hazards are identified before the construction work has even begun.

However, unexpected hazards, arising from unforeseen conditions, can be encountered throughout the duration of the project. Encountering such hazards and conditions, particularly during construction, can result in potentially significant liabilities, legal or regulatory issues, delays to the programme and claims from sub-contractors.

‘It’s the contractor’s problem’ – think again!

The CDM Regulations were significantly revised earlier this year, with CDM 2015 allocating major additional responsibilities and liabilities to the client. Under the current regulations, responsibilities cannot be delegated, so the client must be confident that their appointed contractors have sufficient financial resource, adequate skill and experience to undertake the work and appropriate insurance cover.

Similarly, the client needs to be confident that the contractor or specialist has a successful history of trading profitably and they will continue to operate accordingly.

In our experience, very few clients place sufficient emphasis on ensuring their specialists and contractors hold appropriate insurance cover. General policies typically include many exclusions in relation to contamination and pollution – in particular, in regard to gradual pollution, diminishment in property value, or statutory costs.

Additionally, Professional Indemnity policies are often held on a ‘claims made’ basis, meaning there will be no cover for future claims if the cover has lapsed or the policyholder is no longer trading. This can render both contracts and warranties useless in the event of subsequent claims relating to poor advice and work. Simply checking the financial level of the general policy cover a contractor maintains does not adequately address this risk.

How good is your information?

The key to mitigating the risk of unforeseen ground conditions is through investigating and fully characterising the site in advance of any development works.

Over the last 10 to 15 years, we have seen a continuous deterioration in the standard of the majority of desk studies undertaken. The previous human interrogation of historical plans, regulator consultations, comprehensive reconnaissance visits and gathering real information from those familiar with the site has often been replaced by cheap database driven outputs with questionable information.

Combined with inexperienced or inappropriately qualified companies offering ever cheaper intrusive investigations, this can result in a conceptual site model that bears little resemblance to the site. All too frequently we find that, as a direct result of this, endless additional features and contaminants and unforeseen ground conditions are

encountered when undertaking the remediation on site. It is therefore imperative that only those contractors and specialists that have sufficient knowledge and expertise to tackle whatever problems they may face, and to expect the unexpected, are used.

Planning for potential problems can avoid costly and lengthy programme delays. RAW provides pollution response, sustainable remediation, environmental monitoring, expert advice and technical services to developers and site owners looking to reduce their liabilities.

RAW’s expertise is based on experience, good science, common sense and sound engineering, combined with a commitment to innovation.

RAW always achieves the best solutions that utilise innovation to the client’s advantage and strives to provide services of the highest quality, but always at a realistic cost. RAW offers the complete package from start to finish for response, remediation and regulatory compliance.

RAW is currently involved with remediation works at Hollicombe Brake, Paignton. Final approval for the remedial strategy has been granted by Torbay Council and the programme of works to remediate the site has now commenced. RAW is providing specialist services to independently

monitor the works in accordance with the approved strategy, which was designed to protect workers on the site, the local community and the wider environment. It has been independently assessed and approved by Public Health England to ensure human health is protected.

RAW has successfully completed the remediation of an industrial site in Coventry destined for residential development. The site was contaminated with oil, asbestos and chlorinated solvents, with many buried tanks and underground structures. The works were undertaken in a phased approach to allow the development to proceed in stages, and works included groundwater pump and treat, oil recovery, removal of underground tanks and obstructions and advanced soil stabilisation works. Even with a number of unforeseen environmental issues encountered, RAW completed the project without any delays and on budget. q • For further information visit www.raw-group.com. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Tree Preservation Orders and planning: how to succeed!

By MARK CHESTER of Cedarwood Tree Care

[TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS (TPOS) have been part of the

planning process since the Town & Country Planning Act of 1947. They place a restriction on what a landowner can do with trees subject to this protection. There are those who conclude that having a TPO on a site will prevent or hinder development. However, with care, much can be achieved.

Trees are a material consideration within the planning process and so, for me, the presence of a TPO shouldn’t be an insurmountable obstacle. It may represent a challenge, but it is my role to meet these where possible. The TPO may protect trees individually, within a woodland setting or within an area which has yet to be surveyed. For the former, the local authority has identified which trees it considers to be important. If the trees have not yet been surveyed, then this task needs to be done to identify which are the most important. Sometimes, none of them are. I will assess the trees to see whether I agree with the local authority.

I will also want to establish when the TPO was made and the reason for making it. Has this been a recent decision, and if it is historic, are the trees protected still worthy of their protection? Sometimes, we can have trees which have declined in condition. If the TPO has just been made, I will check details to see that it has been made correctly and is relevant.

Whilst most TPOs are accurate and appropriate, I have encountered some with fundamental flaws. These have included plans sent to the landowner which are different to those held by the local authority, the wrong boundary being applied to the plan and omitting to include the list of trees covered by the order in the documents sent to the land owner. In the latter case, I received the full list, but I was engaged as the consultant!

The legislation enabling TPOs to be made is clear that they can only be used to protect trees of merit, and not to hinder development. In my experience, it is rare for the presence of a TPO to stop a development. In fact, on the only occasions when it has happened, the trees concerned were actually owned by third parties and proposed developments were unrealistic!

Sometimes, I find that the officers who are administering a TPO have limited experience of the procedures and I have to guide them. With one

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application, where a TPO had been made but not confirmed (a key part of the legal process) and was therefore not legally enforceable, I had to convey this (unwanted) news to the planning team as they sought to defend a planning refusal at appeal. They believed that the trees were subject to an enforceable TPO. Once we have agreement on which trees should be retained, and whether a development is realistic, we establish how much space they will need – this produces the Tree Constraints Plan which is the starting point for the planning process. With this information, we have the developable area of the site and can begin work on designing the layout. It is possible to undertake construction work close to a tree being retained and I can guide a client through the options.

It can be unnerving getting the envelope from the local authority and learning that a TPO has been served. However, with professional guidance, it can still be possible to achieve high quality developments. q

Construction wakes up to the high-flying possibilities of drones

[ THEY ARE COMMONLY referred to as

‘drones’, but are more correctly known as unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. Their use was pioneered by the military, evolving from traditional winged aircraft to the sophisticated multi-rotor craft in use in many commercial spheres today.

Recent press reports have concentrated on their frivolous or even dangerous use by untrained amateurs; however, they are a particularly useful tool for the construction and civil industries, being able to fly in areas that are either inaccessible or hazardous.

Moreover, because they fly at slow speed and low altitude, and are capable of precise control, they offer an accuracy of data collection unattainable by conventional aircraft or ground survey methods.

One of the pioneers of the use of UAVs in the UK is The Bionic Eye. A division of The Bionic Group, which has specialised in offering multimedia, survey and design services to the construction industry since 2002, the company operates a fleet of UAVs, controlled by CAA-licensed pilots – a legal requirement for commercial flying of the craft. The fleet includes the survey-grade LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) aerial mapping system for UAVs as well as Corona UV cameras, which use ultra violet light to detect the electrical field – or corona – in cables for surveying purposes.

Its director Andrew Eio explained the advantages of UAVs over conventional aerial surveys: “With our LiDAR-based UAV we are able to attain a sub-5mm average accuracy whilst flying over the site to generate highly accurate cloud points.

“This level of accuracy is the ideal fit between traditional aircraft-based mobile mapping, where the speed and height only give low density and inaccurate data, and traditional land-based systems necessitating multiple site visits to fill in the occlusion that is prevalent in terrestrial mapping.”

The combination of accuracy and accessibility has resulted in the company working with Network Rail and their contractors to use UAV for inspection. A

spectacular example was the survey of the Ouse Viaduct for Amey Rail (pictured).

A major advantage of using the technology on the railway is that it avoids the need for personnel to access the track, meaning the survey work can be carried out safely while the network is still running.

As The Bionic Eye puts it: “No more boots on ballast – we fly safely around the site.”

Overseas, the company has been able to

deploy its Corona UV solution on a highvoltage power line for a Middle East client who needed to constantly review 14,000km of transmission lines.

The construction industry is rapidly waking up to the applications of UAV technology.

Data can be incorporated into BIM processes, or the multimedia images can simply be used to produce sophisticated marketing material.

The future lies in the skies. q

Spire’s secrets uncovered by UAV [

AN EXAMPLE OF the versatility of UAVs in construction and related industries occurred when chartered conservation architect Peter Slinger RIBA CA was planning the quinquennial inspection of St Peter’s Church in Yaxley, Cambridgeshire, early last year.

The church is sited on top of a hill, its dramatic spire visible for many miles across the flat landscapes of the fens.

Peter explained: “As with most historic buildings of its date and complexity, access to some areas is difficult and potentially dangerous. The spire is surrounded by a parapet and flying buttresses, which cannot be seen from ground level and can only be accessed by a very narrow spiral stair as far as the ringing chamber and, thereafter, ladders as far as the bell frame.

“To reach the parapet from there involves a very long vertical ladder up the centre of the spire and then a difficult and dangerous traverse from the ladder to the parapet door many metres above the ground. Not for the fainthearted and an insurance nightmare! Consequently that element had not been inspected for very many years.” The solution was to use a UAV to carry out the inspection, courtesy of local company Cambridge UAV. Said Peter: “By working with the UAV we obtained a very comprehensive understanding of the condition of parts of the church which were inaccessible, and even discovered problems which would have been unlikely to have been noted even if we could have accessed them – for example the broken hinge on the spire door would have only been spotted if we had got out onto the parapet and then closed the door behind us!” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Rainclear Systems’ Heritage Cast Aluminium Rainwater range Can it replace cast iron guttering? [

OF COURSE ALUMINIUM guttering will never completely replace cast iron. Cast iron is often obligatory on our oldest buildings – and with good reason, it offers an unmistakable appearance and has proven to last up to one hundred years with sensible maintenance.

It is generally the more expensive system to purchase but still represents great lifetime value when you factor in longevity.

Geraint Jones, managing director of Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading stockist of metal guttering, is a huge fan of cast iron: “As well as its strength and efficiency, the wonderful thing about a modern cast iron system is that it’s now available in a pre-painted factory applied finish.

Ready to install, this removes all the hassle and concerns of onsite painting.

“That said, our Heritage Cast Aluminium gutters can be supplied to resemble cast iron in a ‘textured’ black, making them just as ideal to use on traditional, historic and restoration projects where cast iron is not specified.”

Cast aluminium is lighter than cast iron making it easier to handle and fix. It offers

all the benefits of aluminium’s resistance to corrosion, plus a factory applied polyester powder coating finish which gives it a life expectancy of 40 years.

It has minimal maintenance requirements whereas ‘Iron work corrodes without regular decoration,’ – according to Douglas Kent, SPAB technical and research director, writing in Listed Heritage issue 102 Sept/Oct 2015.

Colour range UK manufactured and in-house powder coated, the Heritage Cast Aluminium system can be supplied to any RAL or BS colour reference for bespoke projects so the client can match their guttering and downpipes with their windows or match the colour of the original, perished cast iron rainwater system.

Versatile Both cast iron and aluminium offer unrivalled versatility. If there are any specific design requirements for a restoration or a renovation project, Rainclear work closely with the UK’s

most established and experienced foundries to match any feature – however ornate.

Durable The Heritage Cast Aluminium system is high-performing, durable and requires minimal maintenance. It has a life expectancy of 40 years in rural/suburban areas and up to 25 years in industrial areas. Aluminium is 100% recyclable at the end of its life and has a monetary scrap value – giving it an exceptionally low lifetime cost. q • Visit the website at www.rainclear.co.uk to see the range and save 35% off cast iron and 20% off cast aluminium. Download the brochures with prices, the metal comparison guides and installation guides for each. There is next day delivery and free delivery on orders over £300 net. Payment is secure by credit card or Paypal.

Alternatively, if you have any questions, give the friendly, knowledgeable team at Rainclear a call on 0800 644 44 26.

Some cases in point Chicklade Farm, Salisbury

Riddel Hall, Belfast

This was a renovation of an existing 19th century farm house situated in a prominent conservation area and so selecting the right product was essential. The Heritage Cast Aluminium gutters and downpipes finished in RAL9017 black maintained the authenticity of this beautiful, traditional property.

Rainclear also facilitated the design and manufacture of completely bespoke aluminium rainwater diverters for the environmentally conscious client, allowing them to divert and recycle their rainwater to help maintain the beautifully restored cottage garden.

The Heritage Cast Aluminium rainwater system with bespoke hoppers and finish helped retain the architectural integrity of this Grade B1 listed building.

The £10m project was highly commended in the Conservation category of both the RICS 2012 Awards and the RSUA Design Awards.

The architects provided a sample of original components from the building and 45 replica hoppers, together with downpipes, ear-belts and bracketry were replicated along with a special RAL8004M finish in copper brown to match the colour of the original rainwater system.

The old system had perished and the Heritage Cast Aluminium system was specified for its ability to replicate the look of the original cast iron system, whilst offering modern performance, longevity and low maintenance.

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NFRC celebrates impressive membership milestone [

IN SEPTEMBER, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) reached 1,000 trade members for the first time.

The roofing company who helped them to reach this milestone, DPM Industrial Roofing (UK) Limited based in Stokeon-Trent, has followed in the footsteps of other like-minded companies who sought to join a reputable and established trade association.

NFRC has seen a steady increase in membership over the past several years, with the number one reason for joining being an enhanced reputation with clients and homeowners. The primary aim of NFRC is to promote quality contractors and quality products – key priorities that both clients and homeowners are looking for when seeking contractors for their projects.

NFRC provides members with access to a broad range of training services, as well as current technical and health and safety advice and partnering with other leading industry bodies to set the standards for best practice and workmanship – not only benefiting members but also raising the profile of the entire industry in a market that is still seen to be rife with ‘cowboys’.

With the ever-changing construction environment, NFRC will continue to adapt to meet the demands on the industry and provide only the very best support to its members as it continues to grow. q • For further information visit www.nfrc.co.uk.

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Lead industry announces its

leading players

[AT THE BEGINNING of October the Lead

Contractors Association announced the winners of its two prestigious awards for leadwork.

The Murdoch Award and Murdoch Sponsors Award are presented each year in recognition of the very best in leadwork design and installation, carried out by the specialist members of the LCA. The presentation took place during a dinner at the Fawsley Hall Hotel near Daventry. Chair of the judging panel was the man who inspired the awards, Richard Murdoch, long-time technical officer of the LCA. Richard paid tribute to the very high standard of the entries for the 2015 competition. He noted that this year there had not been any large-scale, extravagantly decorated entries which might have stood out and distracted the judges, so all entries were subjected to particularly close scrutiny, down to the very fine details, in order to determine the deserved winners.

He again thanked Associated Lead Mills for continuing their long-standing sponsorship of the Murdoch Award, in support of the LCA’s quality standard ethic. All the main Murdoch Award finalists were hosted by Associated Lead Mills for the evening as part of their sponsorship.

He also thanked them for their foresight in introducing the Murdoch Sponsors Award in 2006 for projects under five tonnes, which had since given some of the smaller LCA members the chance for wider recognition.

The Sponsors Award was presented first.

The shortlisted projects were a dome with unusual weatherings from N Lee & Son, the tile replacement leadwork at Stormont Castle

The winner of The Murdoch Award was Lead-Tech Roofing for Rygar House in London

by Leadwise and a dome and spire from SWG Roofing. Richard again commended the consistently high standard of both the design and workmanship that was evident throughout each project.

Leadwise Contracts were then declared the winners of the Murdoch Sponsors Award 2015 for Stormont Castle in Northern Ireland.

A description of the project said: “In a role reversal of recent trends, lead sheet replaced a failing stepped tile design in a project that relied heavily upon close teamwork between the architect and the traditional crafts.”

Martin Cahalan of Leadwise expressed the company’s delight in being involved in a project on such an iconic landmark. The work itself

The Murdoch Sponsors Award winner for 2015 was Leadwise Contracts for Stormont Castle in Northern Ireland

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was on the front sloping pediments and was necessitated by a longstanding failing in the existing stepped tiling arrangement.

Turning to the Murdoch Award, Richard noted the presence of two quality leadwork ‘heavyweights’ who regularly reached the finalist stage. They were D Blake & Co (twice previous winners) and Norman & Underwood. Up against them this time was Lead-Tech Roofing, who in 2013 had won the Sponsors Award and were now going after the main prize.

Again, he said that the projects were not eyecatchingly spectacular, with the focus more on precision detailing and consistent setting out, but in all cases completed with fine workmanship.

While the judges had applauded the unusual pitched roofing over a thick stone substrate at Borthwick Castle by D Blake & Co and the work carried out by Norman and Underwood on the flat roof at Staunton Harold Church, in their unanimous view it was the large flat and pitched roofing and cladding project completed by LeadTech Roofing at Rygar House in London that deserved to be the winner of the 2015 Murdoch Award.

Barry Smith, managing director of Associated Lead Mills, expressed his delight that this year’s awards in both categories had featured ‘new blood’ challenging the more established LCA members.

“It’s great to see new faces coming through for these awards,” he said. “Not only does it show that anyone stands a chance of being a finalist or even winning if their work is good enough, but also that the craft of working with lead is alive and well and in very good hands.”

Both winners will be presented to the wider roofing industry next May at the UK Roofing Awards, when LCA awards will feature alongside the full range of roofing categories. q

Why training your employees is good for business [RESEARCH HAS SHOWN that employees

who receive poor job training are more likely to leave their positions within the first year. A high churn rate has cost implications for a company in more ways than one as a ‘missing’ worker can leave gaps in productivity.

Staff morale can also suffer as they are required to increase their work load or work longer hours, and finding the time to screen CV’s and carry out interviews, not to mention training a new person, can be time consuming. In fact the whole process can be extremely laborious.

Training your staff on the other hand requires investment in time and often money, but despite those initial monetary costs the pay back on your investment will most definitely outweigh the cost.

Chris Ivey, consultant director at THSP Risk Manaement, offers a few reasons why: Improved productivity and profitability Training helps your business run more effectively and increases productivity and profitability. Trained staff will be able to carry out their roles more efficiently and to a higher standard, improving customer service and ensuring knowledge transfer throughout your business.

Training promotes job satisfaction and by nurturing employees to develop more rounded skill sets you can create a more engaged and involved workforce. This helps build the company

as a whole with everyone striving towards the same goals.

Attracting the right people Remember, recruitment is a two way process and companies that offer training and development to employees also increase their chance of attracting and retaining good quality staff. Workers today want more than a pay cheque and will look to work for employers who are willing to invest in their future.

Keeping hold of the good ones Continuous professional development instills loyalty and commitment from employees and companies that enable their workers to learn and grow will save time in re-training new staff. If someone is good, why give them a reason to look elsewhere.

Health and Safety From a health and safety perspective

training can improve work safety practices as well as having wider implications on the business. Chris Ivey explains its importance: “Whilst not all health and safety training is a legal requirement, should you experience an accident, the HSE will expect to see proof that your staff are competent. Alongside information and instruction, training is the third key area of developing competency and provides written evidence that staff are proficient in undertaking their roles.”

THSP offer a wide choice of CITB, IOSH, NEBOSH, PASMA and UKATA accredited courses, as well as a unique range of their own specific courses. These cover both general and construction health and safety including asbestos awareness, working at height, site safety, CDM 2015, first aid and fire marshalling.

THSP trainers have extensive experience in dealing with health and safety in a wide variety of industries and through a mix of theoretical and practical training they help delegates grow their knowledge, expertise and self-esteem. Courses can be carried out at your own premises or at training venue across the country.

• To make an investment in your business and employees visit www.thsp.co.uk for a full course listing or call 03456 122 144 for more details. q

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ICE urges industry to get to grips with CDM 2015 [

THE INSTITUTION of Civil Engineers (ICE) has called on its industry to ensure that it is equipped to implement the updated Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) regulations. The call was issued prior to the 2015 regulations moving into a new phase on 6 October, with full implementation required on all construction projects from that date.

ICE has produced a comprehensive programme of training and guidance materials on a range of aspects regarding CDM 2015, to help construction and design professionals to deliver projects effectively and compliantly.

Industry experts around the country have been delivering the CDM 2015 training programmes, developed by ICE Training and peer-reviewed by the ICE Health & Safety Expert Panel. Over 650 construction professionals have completed the training courses on the new regulations since they came into force in April this year.

The updated 2015 regulations, governing the design and construction processes of building and infrastructure projects, are broader in scope than previous iterations. They spread, re-assign and expand responsibilities across the roles involved in a project – including clients, designers, principal contractors, contractors and workers – and introduce the role of principal designer at the heart of pre-construction activity. That, says the ICE, changes the dynamic of risk management on projects.

Design and planning decisions made during the pre-construction phase affect the health and safety of on-site workers, during maintenance work and also in the operation of the building.

The new regulations have removed the CDM coordinator and require the ‘principal designer’ to

manage health and safety risks created before construction, to appropriately minimise their impact throughout the life of a project.

Those who have attended an ICE CDM 2015 training programme are well equipped to apply for membership of the ICE Health and Safety Register – a publicised recognition of attainment of a defined standard in the application of the principles of health and safety in construction. They will also make a valid contribution to their continuing professional development.

The institution also ran a series of webinars – one in April and a second on 6 October, the day full implementation came into effect. The second drew on feedback collated from the ICE training courses over the previous six months. q

CDM? Ask the HSE [ IN ITS Weekly Digest eBulletin of 20 October the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

published a link to a series of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) on its website on the subject of CDM 2015. The FAQs are grouped in order of subject matter and include issues such as Notifications - F10; Principal Designer; Small Builder and Self Build. q • The complete series of questions regarding CDM 2015 is available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/faq/.

New system offers pioneering approach to construction skills management [ LIVERPOOL-BASED TECHNOLOGY company, Human Recognition Systems (HRS), have developed a ground-breaking new system called MSkills, set to make the lives of construction workers safer.

Using cloud technology, it allows construction companies to define rules of entry to their sites based on job role and the training required for that role. By providing the tools to track who has attended which training courses across all sites, MSkills can then inform access control systems to grant or deny access at the turnstile, thus automatically enforcing company policies.

“What’s different about MSkills is its ability to link seamlessly with our access control system,” said health and safety director at Lend Lease, Brian Van Campenhout. “This allows us to rest assured our health and safety policies are being followed on all of our sites across thousands of operatives. If they’re not, untrained workers won’t be able to enter and we are alerted to the problem.”

Delivering the training is absolutely necessary, but failure to share training attendance records between sites and head office has seen many companies lose out on several hundred thousand pounds per annum, in some cases as much as £0.5m in lost CITB grants.

Brian Van Campenhout added: “The simple training attendance reports that MSkills provides also allow us to automate our CITB grant claims process across all sites and maximise the financial returns.”

Growing numbers of access control systems have been catering for the input of external qualifications and certifications for employees, the validity of which can then be used to drive decisions at the

perimeter fence. However, MSkills pioneers the inclusion of ‘on-thejob’ training which is so vital in ensuring a worker’s competency is both current and relevant to the site. q • For further information visit www.hrsid.com. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Safety group celebrates half-a-century with awards ceremony [

IN OCTOBER THE Building Safety Group (BSG) celebrated its 50th anniversary by holding a Health and Safety Awards ceremony. The event was hosted at the Williams F1 Conference Centre in Oxfordshire and proved to be a national celebration of the dedicated commitment to workplace health and safety of the group’s members.

Nominations for the awards were submitted by BSG members throughout the country who competed to see their achievements recognised by the UK’s largest construction safety group. The awards were presented on the day by BSG’s chairman Michael Setter and managing director Paul Kimpton to members who were able to demonstrate best practice in health and safety across a number of areas.

Categories included Planning and Design, Occupational Health and Environmental Welfare. There were also a series of regional Member of the Year awards, culminating in the UK Member of the Year being named as McCarthy and Stone.

Paul Kimpton said: “The standard of nominations submitted was exceptionally high, which made the judging process a difficult but welcome challenge, reflecting our members’ dedicated commitment to achieving ‘best practice’ in health, safety and environmental welfare.” q

Jackloc crowned Small Business of the Year [FAMILY-RUN COMPANY JACKLOC, based in Claybrooke Parva, is

celebrating its success after being crowned Leicestershire Small Business of the Year at the prestigious East Midlands Chamber 2015 Business Awards.

Having initially being shortlisted from 12 applicants as one of three finalists in Leicestershire, the Jackloc universal window and door restrictors, beat off stiff competition to scoop the award, which was presented at a black-tie gala dinner at the Athena in Leicester.

The award came following a day of intense presentation and judging at the end of July, during which the company was assessed against a variety of criteria including high business growth and having a robust plan for financial performance. The prestigious award was presented by Oliver Jones, CEO assistant and head of external affairs at Aggregate Industries, a global market leader in the construction industry and part of the LafargeHolcim Group.

Commenting on the win, Judith Burrows, director for Jackloc said: “We are absolutely delighted that the efforts of the whole Jackloc team have been recognised at such a high level and I would like to thank each and every one of them for all of their dedication and hard work.

“Since Jackloc was founded in 2003 the aim was always simple – to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities from falls out of windows – and we certainly feel very proud that our determination to achieve this has not gone unnoticed.”

Emma Wells, Jackloc director added: “It was a very emotional night, both the apprehension before the winners were announced and sheer elation at finding out we had won.

“As a family run business we are all very passionate about what we do in reducing the risk of falls out of windows, and our moto ‘in spirit and in truth’ remains at the heart of our business today. I would like to thank the Jackloc team, all of our suppliers and customers who have supported our growth throughout the years.”

As a county winner, Jackloc will now go on to compete in the British Chamber of Commerce’s (BCC) regional business awards for the East

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Jackloc scoop the Leicestershire Small Business of the Year award Midlands, with the chance to progress to the BCC’s national awards in November.

Over the last year, Jackloc has continued expanding into new overseas markets and won a landmark legal battle to protect its brand in Turkey.

The company has also stepped up its awareness-raising campaign work, crusading the guiding ethos which drives the business, to save lives all over the world by reducing the risk of falls from windows.

The window restrictor reduces the risk of falls from open windows by only allowing them to be opened to a safe degree. q • For further information on Jackloc please visit www.jackloc.com.

For further information on East Midlands Chamber’s 2015 Business Awards please visit http://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/news/7007/east-midlandschamber-business-awards-2015.

Syphon rehab keeps East Anglian Waterways operational [IT IS WIDELY known that a significant

proportion of East Anglia relies for its existence on the effective operation of widespread land drainage networks. Without these networks much of the region would not be able to function due to the high ground water levels.

Much of the drainage to keep ground water levels in check is achieved using local pumping stations that take water from the land drainage network and pump it into local rivers and drainage channels that take it out to sea, so keeping the local area from flooding. These pumping stations are under the control of the Internal Drainage Boards (IDB’s).

However, when undertaking rehabilitation of a pumping station near King’s Lynn, a reverse syphon carrying water from the pump station to the main drainage channels that fed the estuary, was found to have failed and there were fears that water normally carried by the syphon would cause problems.

The failure of the syphon meant that water from the pumping station was not all removed from the network, but was being returned back and potentially undermining the pumping station due to leakage in the syphon. This was also causing the river bank near the pumping station to erode. It was causing problems in the pump station as water was recycling, meaning the pump station was working significantly harder than it should, incurring extra cost and potentially leading to significant flooding problems.

Rehab option After careful consideration of the situation and the options available to affect a repair or replacement of the syphon, it was decided that a lining option would offer the best solution with minimal disruption to the pumping network, the local residents and the environment.

The project required remedial repairs to be made on the 22 m long x 450 mm diameter cast iron reverse syphon. To ensure the long-term effectiveness of the repair, main contractors ADC East Anglia working with Dyno-Rod Norwich called upon the expertise of CIPP Technical Services and product supplier C J Kelly Associates – both of which have many years experience in the lining of pipes in difficult situations.

A detailed look at the liners available, the resin options and the longevity required of the final installation, as well the pressure fluctuations that would be encountered during the operational life of any liner, led to the selection of a 450 mm diameter, 7.5 mm thick twin wall flexible liner. The 22m long twin wall liner used on the operation comprised two thinner walled polyester needle felt liners which when laid and stitched

together formed a final 7.5 mm thick liner with a single PU outer coating.

The reason behind using the twin wall liner option was that, given the geometry of the reverse syphon, the liner used not only needed to provide a strong, long-life final product but also needed to offer significant flexibility during the inversion process and to ensure an effective curing process. The twin wall liner also offers a better resin impregnation process for the MC thermos-reactive resin used. Once successfully inverted, the liner was heated to 90oC and kept at this curing temperature for about nine hours.

The MC Construction Chemical resin used for the lining work was the Konudur 170 TL-NV product as supplied by C J Kelly Associates.

Designed as a thermo-reactive epoxy resin for CIPP liner systems the product offers: • Low-viscosity, two-component epoxy resin • Warm-hardening epoxy resin • Light blue pigmentation • Long application time • High strength

• Short curing times depending on curing • temperature • Good adhesion on concrete, brick and ceramic • Application to dry and moist mineral or • metallic substrates The blue pigmented resin enables control of the impregnation process whilst the liner/resin combination is flexible enough to negotiate bends in the syphon. The thermosetting resin has a high chemical and thermal resistance and is easy to use. There is also no annulus gap between the host pipe and liner as the installed lining material sits flush to the old pipe wall.

More importantly, the resin is certified to be environmentally compatible with groundwater so would cause no pollution potential for the ground water being moved through the syphon into the local river system.

Subsequent to the installation, the IDB replaced the pumps in the station and completed a full pressure test – the results of which showed that the leak in the syphon had been sealed and that it was working to the specification required once more.

Steve Paige, director with ADC East Anglia Ltd, said of the works: “The project from the beginning had many issues. A remote location and access for plant to maintain the flows during the works were all potential problems. However, combining the expertise of all parties involved, the job was accurately accessed, planned and completed on time.”

Commenting on the project for Dyno-Rod Norwich, Mark Prendergast said: “This was an interesting and somewhat unusual installation that demonstrated to the client how effective nodig solutions can be. It was also very rewarding working closely with ADC East Anglia and C J Kelly Associates to achieve an excellent result.”

John Kelly of C J Kelly Associates said: “This project took several weeks to co-ordinate as we had to install the liner miles from anywhere in the fens just outside King’s Lynn. The liner was up and over the flood bank with a 90o bend on the apex of the bank and, allowing for the time of year, over pumping and flood control was a major part of the project as was the flexible 450 mm diameter liner which was specially manufactured.

“Mark and Daryll from Dyno-Rod Norwich as well as ADC East Anglia performed ‘above and beyond’ on this difficult project. In my opinion this was the most interesting project in East Anglia for several years and despite its challenges it was brought in on time and on budget. As with any project you need the right product and the right contractor if you want to end up with a good lining project and a satisfied client.” q

Liner inversion begins

• For further information visit www.cjkelly.com.

Impregnating the liner with the MC Construction Chemical Konudur 170 TL-NV resin product

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China to finance the Northern Powerhouse [

DURING THE VISIT of China’s President Xi Jinping the PM announced a raft of investments by the Chinese private sector, including the signing of an agreement between Hualing Group and UK real estate company Scarborough Group International to invest in three major regeneration projects in the north: Middlewood Locks in Salford, Thorpe Park in Leeds and the Sheffield Digital Campus.

David Cameron said: “We are committed to rebalancing our economy and building a Northern Powerhouse.

China is a key trading partner for the UK and the partnerships being made today will see real investment going into the north. This is all part of this government’s plan to attract more investment and deliver economic growth to an area of huge potential.”

The deal had been done the previous month during a visit to China by Chancellor George Osborne, led by the Scarborough Group which already has a presence in China.

The three projects, which have a gross value of £1.2bn, are expected to create 18,000 jobs and enable the delivery of 10,000 much-needed new homes, helping to build the Northern Powerhouse.

Kevin McCabe, chairman of the Scarborough Group, said: “For Scarborough, this is the latest chapter in a long history in China spanning over 13 years, during which time we have established strong relationships with local partners as the foundation for significant investments in China and the Far East.

“As a family business with its roots in the North of England, we are now very proud to bring our partners in China to the UK to invest in our great northern cities and to accelerate the development of our major projects in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.

“Our partnership with the Hualing Group is a new and exciting one for Scarborough and we look forward to working with them over the coming years to bring our northern projects to fruition.” q

Multi-award winning Evolve reveal how construction businesses can protect their bottom line [THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY is at the forefront of the UK’s vibrant

business community – working in partnership with clients and suppliers to keep Britain at the lead of domestic and international markets.

But those working within the construction industry have a lot more to contend with than just ‘building a better Britain’ (if that weren’t enough) and navigate a highly competitive marketplace daily, both as vendors and suppliers.

So, imagine if you were told that you could potentially save up to 30% on your rebates, would you like to know how?

Evolve are market leaders and innovators, helping organisations deliver sustainable change. Managing rebates can be a timely and costly process, not only for suppliers, but for buyers across all industries. However, with Evolve’s cloud-based solution e-Bate, there is now a better solution.

Leanne Bonner-Cooke, managing director at Evolve, explained: “Our e-Bate platform was born from the needs of our customers. We had multiple clients contacting us to develop bespoke systems for them to manage their rebate process and make it more effective and auditable. Each one of them needed fundamentally the same thing – a solution which was simple to use, but had the flexibility to deal with setting up complex rebate agreements and accurately calculate the accruals and payments, providing them with workflow authorisation and a comprehensive audit trail.”

Currently, many builders, extractors, merchants and maintenance companies still retain manual systems for managing their rebate process.

Although they work for some businesses, rebate systems are open to human error, which can lead to costly results. They can be extremely complex to setup, maintain and run, as they often require a multitude of multi-tier calculations, including retrospective and one-offs. Impossible to audit, old systems are unable to offer clear evidence of your calculations, should they come under scrutiny from your company or auditors. In addition, they are unable to offer real-time rebate information, which could support your sales and buying teams to negotiate the most preferential rates and agreements.

In short, manual rebate systems present a real risk to the construction industry, where buying and selling materials are often on a much higher scale.

Leanne revealed: “On average manual rebate systems carry a 30% error rate. To put that in context, if you process £3m of rebates, that’s a potential

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Leanne Bonner-Cooke, managing director at Evolve

loss of £900,000. Now, some businesses may be able to take that hit to their bottom-line (although I can’t imagine many want to!) but consider a small business with £10,000 of rebates – that’s a substantial £3,000 hit to them year after year.” e-Bate has been developed to fulfil even the most complex of rebate requirements. It is fully scalable and can be integrated with your existing ERP and IT landscape, which provides both commercial and finance teams with a clear view of their rebate position at any time. The availability of rebate data in a single source allows businesses to effectively manage cash flow, and helps to drive better decision making; both from a sales and marketing or procurement perspective.

If you’re not certain if this has an impact on you, can you afford not to find out? At www.evolve-consultants.co.uk/roi/ Evolve have created an ROI calculator to help you assess the impact. With a conservative 25% error rate factored in, it’s got to be worth seeing for yourself? q • For further information visit www.evolve-consultants.co.uk.

Asset finance can fund expansion plans in construction sector

By ANDY SAGAR, managing director of the Construction and Recycling Division at Close Brothers Asset Finance

[

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY is steadily growing year-on-year and with the ever-increasing demand for new machinery and equipment, business owners are looking at how they can finance their expansion.

Cash flow still remains a major challenge for many businesses and it is important that they have access to appropriate finance to fulfil their plans.

Traditionally companies would choose to speak to their bank for a loan or overdraft, but that is not the only, or necessarily the best option, for every business. There are different types of finance options available and Close Brothers offer an alternative to traditional bank lending through Asset Finance.

Close Brothers Asset Finance has more than 25 years experience in providing flexible finance solutions to businesses across a variety of sectors, nationwide. Our expertise in the construction industry, combined with a variety of products, such as refinancing and hire purchase, allows us to create bespoke solutions that are tailored for each individual customer. With the backing of Close Brothers Group plc, a FTSE 250 financial services company, our facilities help thousands of customers put

their assets straight to work and keep working capital intact.

Asset finance lending volumes are constantly rising and as a sustainable funding method that allows a business to purchase equipment and machinery with a low capital outlay, it offers a range of benefits including tax breaks and flexible repayment schedules. It has evolved over the years and is now an increasingly popular source of valuable funding for businesses.

If you haven’t considered it before, here are some reasons why you should: • Flexible – the loan is generally secured against the asset you are • purchasing so there is a good deal of flexibility in terms of the asset you • acquire, helping to free up your working capital.

• Gives you options – people using asset finance don’t put all their eggs in • one basket because finance from a third party does not impact on existing • bank borrowing facilities.

• Predictable and stable – overdrafts are under constant review by your • bank so if you have a downturn in business or a temporary issue with • cash flow the facility can be reduced or withdrawn at the point when you • need it the most. Asset Finance avoids this problem by agreeing • monthly repayment profiles at the outset, giving you certainty around your • financial commitments.

• Refinancing – an excellent means of raising funds against unencumbered • company assets and can be a very effective way of releasing capital • for a business. When banks are becoming increasingly reluctant to • provide overdrafts and the alternatives such as invoice financing may not • be suitable to every business, refinancing is a great way of releasing funds.

Close Brothers Asset Finance further supports SMEs through the RGF Asset Purchase Scheme. This is a scheme set up to deliver grant assistance from the government’s Regional Growth Fund, a £3.2 billion fund for SMEs granted via intermediaries such as Close Brothers Asset Finance. It aims to support private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment across the English regions.

The size of the grant available is based on the level of proposed investment, the size and location of the business, and finally the number of sustainable full time posts being created or retained. q • To find out more about asset finance and how we can help your business, contact our construction team on 01244 456 379, email them at construction@closeasset.co.uk or visit www.closeasset.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Specialist brokers offer comprehensive cover to construction sector [ BHIB INSURANCE BROKERS’ specialist construction team have

many years’ experience implementing insurance programmes across a multitude of construction trades. As a Brokerbility company they are able to benefit from the increased buying power that the group of highly professional brokers, across the UK provide, enabling access to exclusive products from top insurers.

BHIB share best practice and exchange ideas to ensure that the service and value they provide to their customers is the best and most appropriate that it can be, further adding to their position as a regional independent broker with national reach.

The team comprises of Dan Ellison, Graeme Ravey, Chris Andrews and Russell Beddall who between them have over 40 years experience of building relationships with clients based upon trust and respect for a wide range of clients from across the construction industry.

From self builders to UK main contractors, the BHIB Construction Team have the relevant experience required to ensure that their customers’ companies are comprehensively covered to satisfy the ever-demanding contractual obligations they are required to meet.

From simple public liability cover, to complex project specific cover, BHIB have the experience and market knowledge to put customers’ minds at ease when they are faced with the sometimes daunting and time consuming task of renewing their company insurances.

To discuss your current requirements with the team or for a confidential market review please contact the team using the details on this page. q • For more information on BHIB Insurance Brokers including their Chartered Status and Customer Claims Charter please visit www.bhibinsurance.co.uk.

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A major cashflow breakthrough for subcontractors

By TIM WILKINSON of Ultimate Construction Finance

[MAIN CONTRACTORS ARE notoriously slow to pay their first tier subcontractors – and this causes

cashflow problems right the way down the supply chain. Many of these subcontractors then bridge the funding gap by using some form of Invoice Finance to release the money tied up in their unpaid Applications for Payment.

However many contracts include what are known as ‘ban on assignment clauses’. These are designed to prevent the subcontractors hiring another supplier to complete the work on their behalf – subcontracting the subcontract, in effect. Although sensible on one level, these clauses have the unintended consequence of blocking any access to Invoice Finance.

Subcontractors can circumvent these obstacles, however this can add extra costs and inconvenience that the business could well do without, and they have been arguing strenuously that this is unfair. The finance providers themselves, through their trade body The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA), have been lobbying the government hard on this issue also.

Their efforts have paid off. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has just announced that it will outlaw these contractual clauses from April 2016.

At Ultimate Construction Finance, as prominent members of ABFA, we are delighted at this news. It will make it much easier for subcontractors to use our facilities and unlock the cash tied up in their Uncertified Applications for Payment. We can make advances of up to £3,000,000 on a fully confidential basis, provided the company is trading profitably and has a turnover of £500,000 or more. q • For more information contact Ultimate Construction Finance.

Tim Wilkinson – Tel: 07870 212 180, email: twilkinson@ultimatefinance.co.uk.

Fund launched to showcase starter homes [IN AUGUST Communities Secretary Greg Clark launched a £26m

fund for housebuilders to demonstrate the range of high-quality homes that they will make available for first-time buyers.

The fund will support architects, developers, councils, housing associations and small builders to build properties that will increase the quality of design. It will be used to acquire brownfield sites to provide land for starter homes. Money from the sales of the sites will go back to the government.

In a separate move the government made available up to £10m for local authorities to prepare brownfield land for the development of starter homes.

Greg Clark said: “This competitive fund will build homes that will clearly show the wide range of new properties that will be available for first-time buyers as they take their first step on the housing ladder.

“We are also helping bring back into use more brownfield land for development, keeping the country building and delivering the homes our communities need.”

Andy Rose, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), declared: “The HCA is ready to support the government in delivering this key priority, which aims to set the standard for starter homes. By using our land and development expertise, we will help even more first-time buyers into affordable home ownership.

“We look forward to working with our key delivery partners, including councils, developers, housing associations, small builders and architects, in taking this forward, through the identification and purchase of land suitable for exemplar starter home sites.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Martyn’s Christmas the top reward

Regional awards mark out the road to national success [ THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER months the judges of the

NHBC’s Pride in the Job Awards – the housebuilding industry’s competition to find the very best of the UK’s site managers – have been visiting the winners of the first-round Quality Awards and Single Home Commendation Awards to find the very best to further recognise with Regional Awards and the coveted Seal of Excellence Awards.

The results of their deliberations are being rolled out in a series of regional award ceremonies which began in the South West on 4 September and will complete in Belfast on 6 November.

Commenting on the importance of the awards, NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said: “For 35 years our Pride in the Job Awards have played a pivotal role in NHBC’s work to raise standards across the industry through the celebration and sharing of best practice. Put simply, site managers that win an award are creating houses of an outstandingly high standard.

“A Pride in the Job Award is the highest industry accolade a site manager can receive. It represents success for the site manager, his team and associated trades as well providing a reputational boost for the building company. Most importantly, homeowners who buy a Pride in the Job award-winning home benefit from a high quality product.

“It's no surprise that Pride in the Job winning sites also have higher levels of customer satisfaction as these homes are without doubt among the best the UK has to offer.”

The latest category in the awards was introduced in 2012 and specifically recognises those site managers overseeing projects to build one-off homes. This is the category on which the following pages will be focusing. We will be detailing some of the regional award-winning projects, as well as a couple who are still waiting with bated breath and some who narrowly missed out.

The regional winners will join their colleagues in the other categories in London in January to find out who are the national champions.

Our feature starts with a review of a number of award-winning single home projects in the North West of England, beginning with the regional champion.

Finally, we profile a success story from across the Irish Sea that epitomises the enterprising spirit of the industry in that region. Lagan Homes has grown from a purely Irish company to a nationwide force, and its site managers have led the way. q

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[ON 9 OCTOBER Martyn Currie, site manager at Penrith-based

Atkinson Building Contractors, was announced as the regional winner for the North West in the Single Home Commendation category in the NHBC Pride in the Jobs Awards. Martyn received his award for Ivy Cottage, near Penrith, and now goes forward to the national finals.

In a statement, the company said: “Award-winning site managers display the utmost care, professionalism and attention to detail in their work. Martyn’s win for managing the construction of a luxury fourbedroom detached home near Penrith demonstrated this perfectly.”

Martyn declared: “I’m immensely proud – it’s a testament to the quality and workmanship of everybody involved in the project. For it to be recognised by the NHBC is a major achievement.”

Atkinson Building Contractors director Steve Atkinson added: “Martyn

efforts earn him faced substantial competition and we are very proud of him for winning this prestigious award. Being nominated as a finalist is recognition of his experience, capability and high standards. It is a significant accolade for Martyn, who has been with the company for almost 20 years; he is a credit to our company, this contract and our site management.”

Ivy Cottage is a two-storey, four-bedroom detached home covering 230m². The 26-week project was completed just in time for Christmas on 23 December last year.

Martyn’s Regional Award follows a first-round Single Home Commendation Award for his colleague John Bousfield last year. They are part of a series of wins in a variety of competitions in the company’s 30-plus years of existence. The latest was a regional LABC award earlier this year. q

Rural idyll reveals its award-winning secret [ANOTHER PROJECT IN Cumbria to attract the attention of the NHBC

Pride in the Job judges was a detached home in the picturesque village of Orton near Penrith. Chestnut Garth is a small row of houses that now boasts a further three-bedroom property thanks to the efforts of Mark Cox and his team.

Mark is the site manager on the project for C W Cox and Sons of Kendal, a small family firm founded by Mark’s father. He has scooped a Single Home Commendation Award for the project in this year’s Pride in the Job competition.

The house includes a home office, an en-suite bathroom attached to the master bedroom and a family bathroom. The timber frame is mainly clad in limestone, in tune with the rural nature of its setting.

The utilities include solar heating for the hot water in addition to a woodburning stove and oil-fired boiler.

The project began with the acquisition of the plot by the company, which began construction of the frame last year. During that phase a buyer came on the scene and substantially influenced the finished construction, which was completed in around nine months.

Orton has been described as a ‘relatively undiscovered village’. It is roughly equidistant from Kendal and Penrith and, although it is set in beautiful Lakeland countryside, it has excellent access to the M6 via junctions 38 and 39.

Alfred Wainwright, who is said to have once considered living there, described it in his book Westmorland’s Heritage thus: “Orton is one of the loveliest of Westmorland’s villages, a delightful rural settlement built around a central green with two streams crossed by many footbridges and having

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numerous venerable buildings and a fine church on a hill overlooking tranquil countryside.”

The village has a thriving community, with its own website, and holds a monthly farmers’ market. A new bus service from Kendal to Kirby Stephen now runs through the village.

This award is Mark’s second PiJ – in 2008 he picked up a Quality Award in the Small Builder category for Westmorland Rise at Appleby in Westmorland.

He joined C W Cox and Sons (the other son being his brother) from school.

The firm was founded around 45 years ago, initially carrying out work for the

local authority and progressing to general building work as well as plumbing and heating installations. Recently they were joined by Mark’s own son, who is an apprentice plumber.

When he is not working, the intrepid builder enjoys rock climbing and ice climbing in the Lake District mountains – sometimes by the light of the moon!

In an interview he thanked all the subcontractors on the site, all of whom he knew well and described as ‘friends’. “They all did a very good job,” he commented. q

One-off project takes the gong [

IF YOU WANT something doing, they say, do it yourself. That philosophy is behind a great deal of the work carried out by Frodsham-based C B Homes.

In addition to building small exclusive developments in the heart of the county, they specialise in helping self-builders to create their own dream homes, which the company then brings to fruition.

One such is a prestigious bespoke home in the select Heyes Park development in the suburb of Hartford in Northwich. Heyeswood Lodge is the latest addition.

Moreover, the project has won a coveted Single Home Commendation Award in the NHBC’s Pride in the Job competition for C B Homes’ Andy Oakes.

Andy’s award adds to the impressive list of local, regional and national awards the company

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Andy Oakes and award-winning Heyeswood Lodge can list since its foundation by current director Colin Booth in 1981.

In a statement the company said: “We are very proud to announce that our site manager

Andy Oakes has won the NHBC Pride in the Job Single Home Commendation Award for his site at Heyes Park, Hartford. Congratulations Andy and well done!” q

‘Just walking the dog’ leads to top award

[ WHEN RICHARD REED walked with his dog along the lanes and

fields near his home in Boston, Lincolnshire, he set in train a series of events that would lead to his son scooping one of the most coveted awards for housebuilding in the East of England.

Richard is founder and principal of Richard Reed (Builders) Ltd, a prestige housebuilding company in the town, and his daily dog walk took him past a former farm building set in three acres that had lain

derelict for around 40 years. When the plot came up for sale the firm acquired the site, demolished the wooden building that stood there and replaced it with an exclusive £800,000 home, Fallow Field. The project has earned son David the East Regional title in the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards in the Single Home Commendation category.

Said David: “The plot came up for sale and Dad spotted it. He fancied doing something a bit special.”

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The award-winning site is certainly that. The six-bedroom home, built on three storeys, boasts two en-suite and two family bathrooms on separate floors, as well as a bespoke hand-made kitchen.

The house is of traditional brick-and-block build with a Spanish slate roof. Entrance is via a Georgian-style portico. It leads into a hall that features two hand-made timber staircases, adding yet further to the feeling of opulence. The Georgian motif is carried over to include the use of voussoirs, or cut brick arches, over the windows and stone sills. The overall air is that of a manor house, only on a smaller scale.

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With its three acres of grounds, the views from both front and rear of the property are stunning. That country feel is added to by the provision of owl boxes for the breeding owl population.

David’s award is the first in the new Single Home Commendation category for the company, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. David is no stranger to the awards, however, having pouched a Seal of Excellence in 2006.

Since its foundation, the company has grown to employ around a dozen people. Although much of their work is the construction of one-

Award-winner Tam is following a Highlands tradition

off luxury homes – some with intricate decorative brickwork – they are currently planning a development of five plots and have designs on expanding further.

David joined his father and two older brothers at the firm 20 years ago as an apprentice bricklayer, aged 16. When he is not overseeing his site he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife and daughter.

He expressed his thanks to everyone who had worked on the site.

“Thanks to everyone who helped us to achieve the award,” he said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without them.” q

[

THE SCOTTISH COUNTRYSIDE has traditionally been home to wonderful examples of one-off architecture, from the fortified homes of the clan chieftains to the royal and aristocratic castles and manors of the Victorian era. It was little wonder, then, that the Scotland region of the NHBC produced a stunning example of a modern version of such a home. The house – Torr Darroch in the Perthshire village of Grandtully – earned for Tam Neil, site manager and partner in T & M Developments, a Single Home Commendation Award in this year’s Pride in the Job Awards.

Torr Darroch is a bespoke four-bedroom home designed and built to take advantage of its elevated site overlooking the River Tay in the heart of the Perthshire countryside.

The house has many unique features – of particular interest is the large first floor roof terrace which sits above an open-plan multi functional kitchen, dining and living area of Tam Neil of T & M approximately 80m2. The first floor also houses Developments the master bedroom suite with dressing room and bathroom.

A further feature on the first floor is the open-plan double height lounge area with feature fireplace and a centrally located oak staircase, built by a local craftsman, which provides access to three large en-suite bedrooms.

Structurally, a bespoke timber frame design is finished with an attractive blend of locally-sourced natural stone, Siberian larch timber cladding and a traditional render.

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T & M Developments is a family-owned and run partnership established in 1999. The firm’s main focus is on providing bespoke timber-frame houses in Highland Perthshire, taking advantage of local materials and craftsmen.

Said fellow partner in the business, Suzanne Neil: “As a company we offer a very individual and personal service which, along with the excellent team of subcontractors we are able to bring on board, allows us to create for our clients the home of their dreams.”

That personal relationship with clients was exemplified at Torr Darroch where the ordering of the interior was adapted to their individual requirements.

Tam wore a number of hats on the project – as well as being a partner in the business and lead joiner, he was responsible for turning the customer’s brief into high-quality finished products. As a time-served joiner with more than 35 years experience, he has a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience and has established a network of local craftsmen who are able to meet the company’s exacting standards.

All the team’s skill and resourcefulness were evident during the project. The elevated site, while resulting in a stunning house for the client, provided a number of challenges during construction – not least getting materials to where they were needed and the location of essential services.

Said Suzanne Neil: “Even with the challenges created by the stunning location, Torr Darroch was delivered to meet our customer’s specific requirements.”

In a statement ahead of the regional awards in October, the company said: “To win an award for this property is a great achievement. We would like to thank all our subcontractors who were involved with the building of this magnificent property.”

They also thanked the clients for their: “…vision and commitment to the finished design of the property, which is a credit to all those involved.”

Suzanne Neil told Construction National: “We have always known that we provide a product to be proud of, because our customers regularly tell us, and it is this customer satisfaction that underpins everything we do. This award is further recognition of our commitment and hard work.”

Looking to the future, she added: “Our business model has proved itself time and time again, so our future focus will be on creating more stunning bespoke houses to meet our customers’ needs and our own exacting standards.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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‘Super luxury’ home with stunning views nets Dominic an off-shore PiJ

[THERE WERE TWO Pride in the Job Awards given for projects

outside the United Kingdom this year – both in the Isle of Man, the Crown Dependency which forms part of the Northern Ireland and Isle of Man region of the NHBC. One was for possibly the most desirable residence to be constructed on the island in the past year, which earned a Single Home Commendation Award for Hartford Homes site manager Dominic McGreevy – pictured at the front of the property.

Described as a ‘super luxury property’, Belvedere House in the island’s capital Douglas is a four-storey home which spans an impressive 16,000ft2

and features six en-suite bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool and gym suite, as well as an expansive glazed rear overlooking Douglas Bay. At the time the award was announced the house was nearing completion.

Dominic, who has worked for the family-run building firm for five years, said: “It’s an honour to be acknowledged for my and our work on Belvedere House. It’s all down to the support of a great and fully integrated team at Hartford Homes who have helped create such an extraordinary and unique property.”

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Impressions of the luxurious open-plan living space and indoor swimming pool at Belvedere House Derived from the Italian for ‘fair view’, a belvedere is an architectural structure positioned and designed to command a scenic view and Belvedere House’s impressive classic architecture and rear elevation allow it to take full advantage of its exclusive location. Sitting in an elevated position in the private Montreux Court area, Belvedere House really does live up to its name, boasting an unrivalled location with breathtaking sea views.

The site is just a short walk from Douglas’s promenade and just one mile from the capital’s thriving centre, with its marina, entertainment complexes and fine dining. Plus, it is only a short drive to the business district and the airport, making it a prime position for both business and pleasure.

The award is Dominic’s second PiJ – in 2012 he picked up a Quality Award for his work at Royal Buildings, a luxury apartment

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development in Onchan. It is also the fourth to go to a Hartford Homes site manager in the past six competitions.

Hartford Homes director James Greenhalgh said: “It is really great for Dominic and the whole team at Hartford to have won another NHBC award. We as a company strive to deliver quality homes and to go that extra mile, so it’s great to see recognition of that.”

During his time at Hartford Homes, Dominic has also managed work on a 22,000ft2 individual property in Abbeylands, a block of 30 apartments in Onchan and seven detached £1m-plus homes on The Links development in Peel.

Dominic is one of only three site managers to be selected for a Single Home Commendation Award in the region this year – the other two were for projects in Northern Ireland – and only the third from the island since the category was introduced in 2012. q

A passion for building is translated into a regional award [

THE FIRST OF the regional award events in this year’s Pride in the Job Awards was for the South West region. Fittingly, the ceremony on 4 September took place at the Sandy Park home of the Exeter Chiefs rugby union club. Among the housebuilding chiefs was Russell Hancock of Quarrystone Homes (Cotswolds) Limited, who took the regional title in the Single Home Commendation category.

Russell won the award for a Cotswolds house, built on the site of a former gardener’s cottage in the grounds of a manor house. The cottage was demolished prior to the new house being built – it comprises four bedrooms, one of which occupies half of one storey with its en-suite bathroom and dressing room.

A further feature of the property is a TV room or snug. There is also a specially designed curved oak staircase leading from the hall and open fireplaces in the reception rooms.

The build is traditional beam and block, with stone outer walls. Much of the construction material was reclaimed from the demolished house.

The interior fit-out, on the other hand, is very much contemporary in style. The lighting, in particular, is a notable feature with mood lighting around the windows and doors and a stunning exterior lighting scheme.

The attention to detail given to the project by Russell and his team extended to bespoke ironmongery and joinery in the windows and doors, as well as a made-to-order kitchen.

The main en-suite features a ‘rain shower’ to add to the comforts provided by the property.

The external landscaping and gardens presented a significant challenge, with parts of the original Victorian garden being integrated

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into the new landscaping scheme. To add to the challenge, the site is on a steep slope. There is also a stream leading to a former Victorian swimming pool, which was restored. Russell himself was closely involved in the landscaping of the project.

The property is the latest in a series of prestigious projects carried out by Quarrystone Homes (Cotswold) Ltd since its foundation in 2005 by Russell and his business partner Alex Wrighton.

Russell, whose firm was then RHH Building, worked on Alex’s own home in the Cotswold town of Gretton. As well as getting on very well, they discovered that they shared the same passion for building and restoration and so founded Quarrystone Homes. They now have a small staff of employees and a regular team of sub-contractors they have come to know and trust.

Russell has been in the building industry for 24 years, since leaving

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Country estate award winner [THE AREA SURROUNDING Hartfield in East Sussex is known as

Pooh Country. It was the countryside around the village that provide the backdrop to A A Milne’s world-renowned stories of the Bear of Little Brain and his friends. The 100 Acre Wood and all the other landmarks of the stories are to be seen for real in the landscape where Milne and his son Christopher lived.

About half-a-mile from Poohsticks Bridge, in Upper Hartfield, another notable feature of the area is coming to new life. The former country estate known as Landhurst – once the home of the Rank flour dynasty and later a headquarters for pilot training – has been redeveloped to form a small cluster of exclusive homes.

A number of the plots have been formed from existing buildings, which have been substantially converted to produce modern luxury homes. These include the Manor, Oast House and two barns. A further two completely new build properties have also been created.

One of these completely new build homes has been recognised by the NHBC for a Single Home Commendation Award for its site manager John Steed of Steed Construction Ltd. A principal feature of the design is the manner in which it blends with the traditional feel of the existing conversions. There are large overhangs in the rural Weald style, supported by gallows brackets.

school. For the last 17 of those years he has specialised in complex construction projects, concentrating for the past decade on bespoke projects.

His regional award in the Single Home Commendation category marks a spectacular entry into the Pride in the Job pantheon. The company also won the LABC Building Excellence Award in the South West in 2012 and was nominated for this year’s award.

Speaking of the Pride in the Job accolade, Russell remarked: “I feel very privileged and honoured to have got it,” adding that it was particularly good for the team to have their hard work recognised.

As the company’s mission statement says: “Above all, Quarrystone Homes’ ethos is exceptional quality, attention to detail and, when working for clients, complete customer satisfaction.” q

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redevelopment includes an

Lime mortar and old English quicklime has been used, together with tumble bricks to create an antique look. John said of this use of traditional materials and design: “I believe it enhances the development as a whole.”

John was one of the founders of Steed Construction nearly three decades ago. He had been working in the industry for some time even

then before deciding to do things his way. Past awards have included a PiJ for a development by another developer and an award from Seeboard, now EDF Energy.

John was forthright in his gratitude for the team working on the project: “No builder is any good without the people who produce the work. Without them this award would not have been possible.” q

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Gavin’s PiJ success mirrors the company’s nationwide expansion

The Maple

[ ONE OF THE success stories to emerge

from Northern Ireland in the past 30 years has been Lagan Homes. The company – part of the Lagan Group – has established itself as a leading housebuilder in Ireland and has recently expanded into a number of highprofile sites in England.

Alongside that burgeoning success has gone a number of successes for individuals working at the company’s sites – in particular there has been a number of wins in the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards over the years. The latest of these has gone to Gavin Murray, who has won a Quality Award for his work as site manager at the Blackwood Manor site in Newtownards.

This is Gavin’s first PiJ, and he is looking forward to emulating the successes of a number of colleagues who have gone on to achieve multiple successes in the awards.

They include Paddy Feeney, who was named

Northern Ireland’s regional winner in 2013 in the Medium Builder category.

The homes at Blackwood Manor are situated just off Mountain Road in Newtownards, described as the ‘ultimate address’ in the town. The development is close to the established Falcon Park development.

The development is described thus: “Combining charming architecture featuring elegant and defined features with practical room proportions and a complete turnkey specification, Blackwood Manor integrates all the required elements for comfortable modern living in homes that are a pleasure to live in.”

A variety of house types are on offer at the development, from functional townhouses and semi-detached homes to spacious two, three and four-bedroom detached properties.

The construction is traditional, yet the

innovative use of materials has resulted in some versatile designs, such as the twobedroom Maple, which is present in both semi-detached format and as a high-gabled detached property.

The development’s location in Newtownards adds to its popularity.

Nestling at the foot of the Craigantlet Hills, Newtownards lies at the northern tip of Strangford Lough in County Down.

The thriving market town offers a full range of shops and businesses, including some national brands and household names, plus a traditional Saturday market.

Overlooking the town is the spectacular Scrabo Tower, a noted landmark built on a volcanic plug in 1857 as a memorial to one of the Duke of Wellington’s generals in the Napoleonic Wars.

In a report last year on the upturn seen in Northern Ireland’s housing market, property www.constructionnational.co.uk

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The Clover (left) and the Hollybrook agents Reeds Rains pointed to Blackwood Manor as an exemplar of the trend, quoting Lagan Homes director Conor Mulligan.

Mr Mulligan said: “When construction began on Blackwood Manor in October 2013, there was already a huge interest with people immediately reserving and booking units, which was something we had not experienced in years.

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“Looking at Blackwood Manor, and indeed our other developments, we know the size and price range of properties in demand and I look forward to Lagan Homes continuing to supply the market with affordable, practical, quality homes in prime development sites.”

Gavin’s success as a site manager runs parallel to the success of Lagan homes as a company, which is perhaps best summed up

by the opening statement of the brochure for Blackwood Manor.

“To succeed over many years, you have to be good at what you do,” says the statement, “and we’re good at building homes. From finding the ideal location and creating the most desirable design, to building and perfecting every last detail of a property, the team at Lagan are professional home makers.” q

Award-winning scheme puts families first [

LONDON’S FIRST ‘FAMILY-FOCUSED’ rental scheme has won the Housing Project category in the 2015 Sunday Times British Homes Awards. The award went to Essential Living and Assael Architecture for Creekside Wharf in Greenwich.

The scheme comprises two buildings with 189 and 60 units respectively. It prioritises locals and encourages residents to socialise in a top-floor entertainment deck and a coffeehouse style lobby.

Developers Essential Living, who will also manage the apartments themselves, approached local group Greenwichmums to participate in focus groups to ensure local families’ needs are fully considered.

The scheme was designed by Assael Architecture with families in mind – offering smart storage and social areas for kids and families to play safely.

The design initiatives include wider communal corridors for pushchairs, buggy storage, extra acoustic insulation and, where possible, children’s bedrooms positioned away from living rooms to allow for ‘early bed times’.

Martin Bellinger, chief operating officer at Essential Living, said: “This award is great recognition for an emerging part of the housing market and of the fantastic team we’ve assembled to redefine standards for Britain's renters.”

Russell Pedley, director at Assael Architecture, added: “The ethos behind the scheme is that customers rent the entire building, rather than just an apartment, so amenity space plays an integral role in the design. It’s designed to create a lifestyle and strong sense of community through each building, providing residents with an attractive and robust environment where they’ll want to stay long-term.” q

New underfloor heating system has outstanding acoustic properties [UNDERFLOOR HEATING SPECIALISTS

Nu-Heat, working in partnership with Knauf, have launched AcoustiPanel™ 14, which exceeds the requirements of Part E of the Building Regulations. The unit is particularly suited to installation in new build and renovated apartments, where an efficient and discreet underfloor system is required that is acoustically secure and simple to install.

The unit comprises a pre-routed Knauf gypsum board bonded to acoustic fibreboard, into which Nu-Heat’s 14mm tube system is neatly installed. The tongue and groove panels offer high thermal conductivity, allowing a quick transfer of heat into the room and creating a stable, monolithic floor finish with minimal movement.

The tailor-made, acoustic underfloor heating (UFH) system offers: • Heating and floor deck in a single unit over • a solid or timber floor • A low-profile UFH solution with outstanding • acoustic properties, exceeding Part E • Minimal height build-up at just 33mm, • saving 67mm compared to typical acoustic • battens

AcoustiPanel™ 14 shown over both joisted and solid floor

• • • • • • • • •

Low weight solution compared to a 50mm liquid screed or typical sand and-cement screed UFH system A sustainable product – the gypsum board is made up of a minimum 60% recycled product and categorised under Knauf Environmental Product Declarations ISO 14025

A straightforward installation The tongue and groove panel system can be simply installed directly over a level screed section or structural working deck, prior to laying the UFH pipe.

The result is a high quality fit-and-finished floor section. The single manifold of up to

160m2 makes for a quick installation, using less material.

Complete mechanical and electrical installation design and AcoustiPanel™ 14 layout drawings are provided by Nu-Heat.

• For specification data and more information visit www.nu-heat.co.uk/ap14 or call 01404 540650. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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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 3880 or email ian@dmmonline.co.uk

Saving Time, Saving Money

Cable Management Systems

The Construction Publication Specialist

Innovative Manufacturers of Adhesives, Grouts, Cements and Coatings

New & Used Portable & Modular Building Sales.

• Alteration • Refurbs • Installation • Relocation

Online Tradesman Search Facility & Directory

Suppliers and Distributors of Scaffolding and Access Equipment

Construction Finance Specialists

Think Roofs, Think NFRC

High Speed 4G Wireless Broadband Routers

Working within the Construction Industry • Health & Safety Training • Roofing Training

Your partner for working safely at heights

www.competentroofer.co.uk

www.cip-books.com

www.cotacabin.co.uk

www.scaffoldingsales.co.uk

www.nfrc.co.uk

www.nimrod-training.co.uk

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www.skyhook-gb.com

www.rotafix.co.uk

www.stockporttradesmen.com

www.ultimatefinance.co.uk

www.4grouter.co.uk

www.xsplatforms.com

ACCESS EQUIPMENT

RAINWATER SYSTEMS

TRAINING & ASSESSMENT

BUILDERS & PLUMBERS MERCHANTS

CONSTRUCTION LAW

DUST MONITORING

www.constructionnational.co.uk

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BOOK REVIEW

Revised reporting books carry up-to-date guidance [ To comply with health and safety legislation it is necessary not only to observe safe

working practices but also to record how and when that policy is practised. Nowhere is that more evident than in the provision of equipment and training.

To help in that process, Construction Industry Publications Ltd (CIP) has revised and published its popular range of health and safety report books in line with recent updates to construction legislation. The five books cover personal protective equipment (PPE), work at height (including scaffolding) and excavations, the PUWER and LOLER regulations, and training. The sixth in the series – a Record of Induction – is due to be published in the autumn. The books cost £5.95+VAT each and can be purchased directly from CIP. The Reports of Inspection for scaffolding records the information required for reporting the results of inspections carried out under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAH 2005) and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). It also includes reports of inspection of excavations, cofferdams and caissons.

The PUWER register records the results of inspections carried out under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), while the LOLER register is for reporting the results of inspections and thorough examinations of lifting equipment required under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). The PPE register allows companies to maintain a record of all PPE and details of any maintenance requirements provided to employees where necessary, under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (PPE) Regulations 1992.

Health and safety training is required under a range of legislation. For example, employers must provide information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of employees under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. More specifically, contractors must not employ or appoint a person to work on a construction site unless that person has, or is in the process of obtaining, the necessary skills, knowledge, training and experience under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The Training report book helps keep a record of any training provided to employees.

Essential to maintaining an accurate record of equipment and training in health and safety in the construction industry is knowing what information is required and in what format. That is where the introductory guidance notes of the report books are invaluable. Construction Industry Publications has taken the opportunity of the revision of the books to update the guidance notes, making them easier to use.

For example, the work at height and excavations report book offers a comprehensive Scaffold Checklist and Excavation Checklist, guiding the reporter in the issues that need to be addressed. The PUWER report book addresses the issues of who has responsibility for the reporting, together with what equipment should be inspected and how often. The LOLER book defines Thorough Examinations and Suitable Inspections.

• Construction Industry Publications (CIP) publishes a range of The Record of Personal Protective Equipment Issued goes into detail on why construction, health and safety and environmental titles.

PPE is important.

The suite of report books can assist As well as its own publications and DVDs, including the iconic Construction companies in keeping and maintaining good Health and Safety Manual and the Environmental Manual, CIP supplies health and safety reporting procedures as part a wide range of DVDs, books and report forms from all of the leading of their overall health and safety policy. q

specialist publishers including the HSE, Paragon Training and CIRIA for construction professionals, architects, designers, civil engineers, training organisations 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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