Specify Magazine Nov/Dec 2023

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DECEMBER 2023

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NI housing market: Editor Pat Burns Manager Shaun Byrne info@specifymagazine.co.uk Subscriptions: UK £18.00 / Outside UK £27.50 SPECIFY is published by SPECIFY Magazine Ltd Design Clark Warden, Thunk Creative Design Printed by GPS Colour graphics Ltd Tel: (0)28 9070 7747 www.specifymagazine.co.uk DECEMBER 2023

Expectations ease as new buyer enquiries remain subdued

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xpectations for the Northern Ireland housing market eased back as new buyer enquiries remained subdued and there was a slowdown in the number of properties becoming available for sale, according to the latest RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and Ulster Bank Residential Market Survey.

A net balance of 14% of respondents to the survey expects sales to rise over the next three months, down from 22% in the previous survey. Expectations for prices also eased back with a net balance of 12% expecting prices to increase between November and January, down from 41% in the last survey.

This trend is perhaps unsurprising given the flat picture regarding new buyer enquiries. A net balance of just 1% of Northern Ireland respondents said that new buyer enquiries increased last month, following on from four consecutive quarters when respondents reported a fall.

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The number of properties coming onto the market also slowed through October, with a net balance of 5% of respondents reporting a rise, down from 20% in September.

That said, the house price balance remained relatively robust in the latest survey with a net balance of 23% of NI-based respondents noting an increase in house prices. NI is now the only region in the UK where the price balance is currently positive.

And whilst the short term outlook is relatively subdued, respondents are more positive about the longer-term outlook, with a net balance of 53% expecting prices to be higher in 12 months and 25% expecting sales levels to be higher.

Samuel Dickey, RICS Northern Ireland Residential Property Spokesman, says: “On the whole, the Northern Ireland housing market remains in a stronger position than other parts of the UK with prices increasing and sales continuing to take place.

Whilst respondents are reporting an easing back in new buyer enquiries, this is not unexpected given interest rate rises and the time of year. Respondents are more positive about the sales market over the next 12 months. Looking at the rental market, we’re continuing to see an imbalance of supply and demand, with not enough stock to meet the needs of the market which is driving up pricing.

Anecdotally, we’re also seeing some landlords selling properties, which is applying further pressure to the market.”

Terry Robb, Head of Personal Banking at Ulster Bank, added: “Mortgage demand remains relatively strong as people continue to want to buy their own home. This is particularly the case with the rental market so competitive and with significant increases in rental costs. We are therefore continuing to work to support customers with their homebuying aspirations.”

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DECEMBER 2023

Contents Page 7

6 Digest: The expansion of global modular building specialist, Volumetric Building Companies, continues with the opening of its first operation in Ireland. This new facility is set to become an international centre to serve Irish, UK, European and global markets. VBC has appointed a team of 27 product designers, architectural technicians and support staff who, based at its new facility in County Monaghan, bring experience in timber panelised solutions.

7

Digest: Combilift, the largest global manufacturer of multidirectional, articulated forklifts and straddle carriers, has announced its move into offshore wind sector with the launch of a new product designed to meet the load handling demands of largescale offshore wind manufacturers.

8

Combilift enters growing offshore wind sector Page 9

Digest: Henry Brothers has been appointed main contractor for the Queen’s University Belfast-led Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), part of the Belfast Region City Deal project. Henry Brothers has won the £30m contract to construct the 10,500m Factory of the Future building at Global Point Business Park in Newtownabbey.

9 Digest: Belfast International Airport recently announced the launch of a £100 million five-year investment plan that will increase the airport’s operational efficiency, improve passenger experience and environmental performance.

Phase one of the program is currently underway, with the construction of a new security building adjacent to the current terminal building. The new building will be operational by Summer 2024.

£100m investment for Belfast International Airport Page 18

14. RSUA Architects Night The King’s Hall was once again filled with bustling activity as it found itself at the heart of Northern Ireland’s night for celebrating Architecture. The Royal Society of Ulster Architect’s annual Architecture Night featured a jam-packed schedule of live music and the night of celebrations was rounded off with recognition for the best of the next generation of architects.

CONCRETE FUTURES 4 I SPECIFY

First NI HVO Biofuel heated home

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16 Interview We talk to the new RICS President Ann Gray who outlines three year plan on the ways we build and run homes, offices and industry and how it can have a huge effect on our planet’s future, placing the surveying profession, whether in planning, construction or building management, right at the heart of efforts to meet emissions targets.

20 KDM Expands into Dublin As a major boost to the availability of rental equipment in Dublin and surrounding counties, KDM Hire, one of Ireland's premier rental companies, has proudly unveiled its latest state-of-the-art facility located in Stadium Business Park, Ballycoolin, North Dublin.

Page 24

23 Construction Industry Commentary The private sector client’s need to choose value, not cheapness says industry expert Gerard Graham.

30 Full Steam Ahead at Belfast Grand Central Station Unlike many other major infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland, Belfast’s all new Grand Central Station is progressing on time and is set to open in Q4 next year.

Building materials 100% price rise in 10 years!

Page 30

38 Jonathan Payne Column In this edition our new columnist looks at the Construction Programme and its importance as a projectment management tool.

50 Specify Talks to...

In this edition we meet Sean Mullen, Contracts Director at QMAC Construction Ltd.

CONCRETE FUTURES www.specifymagazine.co.uk

All new Grand Central Station The right job can transform a person’s life and the right person can transform an organisation. We’re experts at matching both in construction management.

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SPECIFY I 5

DIGEST

experience in a variety of modelling and design technologies will allow us to integrate the team quickly whilst continuing to innovate at an even faster pace."

"Ireland and its healthcare, housing and infrastructure needs represent a huge opportunity for partnership and collaboration with the offsite sector and VBC’s investment in Ireland is a clear signal of our desire to strengthen that partnership.”

Vaughan Buckley, CEO Volumetric Building Companies

VBC expands it’s operations into Ireland

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he expansion of global modular building specialist, Volumetric Building Companies, continues with the opening of its first operation in Ireland. This new facility is set to become an international centre to serve Irish, UK, European and global markets.

VBC has appointed a team of 27 product designers, architectural technicians and support staff who, based at its new facility in County Monaghan, bring experience in timber panelised solutions.

This move is expanding VBC’s already diverse modular product portfolio into timber panelised construction, and will increase its design and engineering capabilities globally.

VBC CEO Vaughan Buckley explains, “Our new Irish team members, based in Monaghan, surrounded by world class companies and having been originally brought together through the vision and leadership of Gerry McCaughey, represent a bright future for both VBC and the wider offsite construction sector. Their vast

Andy Smith, UK Director at Volumetric Building Companies said, “This new facility is a foundation for our launch into new market sectors, locally and globally. We are already seeing significant opportunities in Ireland, particularly in healthcare, which are creating increased demand for our steel-framed modular solutions. As a location, Ireland has excellent links with the UK and Europe.”

“The move into Ireland also demonstrates VBC’s ongoing confidence in the offsite sector and its financial stability as it continues to expand and innovate.”

Led by CEO and founder Vaughan Buckley and headquartered in Philadelphia, VBC is one of the world’s largest modular businesses. It offers steelframed modular and innovative timber construction technologies. Both solutions are highly efficient, cost-effective and have significantly less environmental impact than in-situ construction.

Department publishes major roads prioritisation programme

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he Department for Infrastructure has published a prioritised list of major road schemes that will continue to be progressed.

Prioritising the development and delivery of major road schemes has been necessary because of the Department’s challenging budgetary position, along with constrained resources and commitments under the Climate Change (NI) Act 2022.

This combination of factors has changed the landscape considerably, meaning delivery of the major roads programme as previously set out is no longer sustainable nor appropriate.

The list of roads to be prioritised is outlined below. This includes the closing out of projects that have been recently constructed, as well as the continued development of schemes that have been identified as Executive Flagship projects and those included within City and Growth Deals.

Road schemes to be prioritised: • A6 Randalstown/Castledawson • A6 Derry / Dungiven Phase 1 • A5 Western Transport Corridor • A6 Derry / Dungiven Phase 2 • Belfast Rapid Transit 2 • Lagan Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge

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• Newry Southern Relief Road • A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass • A29 Cookstown Bypass Work will also continue on the A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme, to finalise the Business Case and complete the preparation of the contract documents. In addition, current work streams will also be completed on York Street Interchange and A32 Cornamuck schemes.

All other schemes will be paused and their place on a future major works programme will be informed by the Department’s emerging transport plans and any decision by a future Infrastructure Minister.

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DIGEST

Combilift enters growing offshore wind sector

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ombilift, the largest global manufacturer of multidirectional, articulated forklifts and straddle carriers, has announced its move into offshore wind sector with the launch of a new product designed to meet the load handling demands of largescale offshore wind manufacturers.

The scale of the requirements of those developing offshore wind equipment has driven the need for bespoke handling solutions across the supply chain. The blades being moved for example are currently up to 115m long: that’s longer than the Aviva Stadium football pitch, and

weigh around 70t.

Recognising the unique requirements of the offshore wind sector, Combilift has spent over two years developing the technology for the Combi-LC (Combilift Load-Carrier).

The Combi-LC allows for the movement of wind turbine blades and towers through production stages, and to storage locations – which can sometimes be as far as 5km apart. The equipment involves two vehicles working in tandem, communicating and operating simultaneously to secure the load at both ends, and move it safely to another location.

The Combi-LC at Siemens Gamesa

GRAHAM hosts topping out celebration for the Crown Works in Birmingham

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raham is a step closer towards delivering 203 new homes for the private rented sector in Birmingham as the Crown Works development reaches its topping out milestone.

Developed by Xian Developments for Europa, the scheme will provide a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments available to rent near Birmingham Snow Hill train station and the Colmore Business District.

The Crown Works will feature rooftop solar panels and an eco-conscious design that aligns with modern environmental standards and will contribute significantly to the development’s impressive EPC rating of B. Furthermore, the project is on track to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating on completion, underscoring its dedication to both quality and sustainability.

Ronan Hughes, GRAHAM Regional Director – Midlands, said: “The topping out ceremony at The Crown Works is a significant milestone toward its completion. Birmingham's demand for upscale housing, especially in such a strategically connected area, is undeniable. We are delighted to support

The Crown Works - Ronan Hughes, Regional Director - GRAHAM Simon Mitchell – Director, Construction Project Management, Europa Capital Josh McGuinness, Development Manager, Xian Developments

CONCRETE FUTURES www.specifymagazine.co.uk

this demand by helping to deliver premium homes for the city’s private rented sector. Our familiarity with the region, highlighted by our involvement in significant projects like the Grand Hotel, positions us well to embrace the city's growth and contribute to its future development.”

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SPECIFY I 7

DIGEST From left: Ian McCully, Senior Contracts Director, Henry Brothers; Professor Stuart Elborn, Interim Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast; Trudy Anderson, Estates Manager, Queen’s University Belfast; David Henry, Managing Director, Henry Brothers.

Henry Brothers awarded £30m contract for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre

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enry Brothers has been appointed main contractor for the Queen’s University Belfastled Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a £100m Belfast Region City Deal project, with almost £80m coming from the UK Government.

Henry Brothers has won the £30m contract to construct the 10,500m Factory of the Future building at Global Point Business Park in Newtownabbey.

AMIC will reinvigorate Northern Ireland’s industrial potential and address the future technology and skills challenges faced by the region’s manufacturing sector.

It is being delivered by Queen’s in partnership with Ulster University, industry, and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and supported by the UK Government and NI Executive.

By 2050, it’s estimated that AMIC will have contributed more than £1bn to the local economy, directly and indirectly created over 1,500 permanent jobs and supported the training of 300 apprentices.

Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and ViceChancellor of Queen's University, said: “Queen’s vision as a civic university and a Belfast Region City Deal partner is to

create tangible impact where it truly matters. We are determined to drive societal progress for generations to come through delivering three Innovation Centres in advanced manufacturing, clinical research and secure, connected digital technologies.

David Henry, Managing Director, Henry Brothers, said: “We are pleased to be working with Queen’s University on the new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, which will provide support for the manufacturing and engineering sectors in Northern Ireland and beyond.

“Connecting our underpinning high-quality research with industry, government and the manufacturing sector will turbocharge our region’s capabilities and embed a culture of innovation to act as a driver for increased productivity.

“As one of Northern Ireland’s leading construction companies, we understand how important facilities like these are in addressing the industry-wide skills shortage.

“Our focus is on driving sustainable economic growth to have a positive impact on the lives of people across Northern Ireland.”

Work includes the early contractor involvement process, construction of an engineering hall, a clean room, laboratory spaces, an auditorium and office accommodation as well as external landscaping and mechanical and electrical services.

Planning permission for the building was given in May, and it’s hoped that construction work at the site can start next spring. AMIC plans to be operating from the Factory of the Future by 2026, with capacity for 150 staff, as it delivers for Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector.

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“Having previously delivered the redevelopment of McClay Library and David Bates buildings at the University, we have an established relationship with Queen’s that we look forward to building on.

“Working with the Belfast Region City Deal partners and sharing their vision to create ‘inclusive economic growth that delivers more and better jobs’, Henry Brothers is committed to embedding social value through delivery of this project, with a focus on creating apprenticeship opportunities and providing student placement and professional trainee opportunities, together with delivering paid employment opportunities for those currently facing barriers to employment.”

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N

icolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, recently announced the launch of a £100 million five-year investment plan that will increase the airport’s operational efficiency, improve passenger experience and environmental performance.

Phase one of the program is currently underway, with the construction of a new security building adjacent to the current terminal building. This ultra-modern £25m facility will transform the passenger security experience by implementing the required Standard 3 Xray screening equipment, meaning passengers will no longer have to remove liquids or electronics from their luggage. The new building will be operational by Summer 2024.

VINCI Airports’ investment plan will also revamp existing facilities, improve airside departure area with additional departure

CGI of the exterior of the revamped Belfast International Airport

gates and extra seating. Shopping offering will include new catering and retail outlets and the immigration area will also be extended over the next five years.

direct positive impact for the entire region, creating an estimated 400 jobs with local construction firms for the duration of the build.

These investments will improve operational efficiency and quality of service. They will support Belfast International Airport as the key gateway for Northern Ireland, as traffic is already above 4.5 million passengers in the first nine months of 2023 (+ 22 % compared to 2022) and returning to precovid levels. The initiative will also have a

VINCI Airports has also announced the launch of a 26 MWp new solar farm on the airport site which will generate 22.4 GWh of electricity and save 12,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. The farm will be developed, financed, built, and operated by VINCI Concessions’ photovoltaic subsidiary SunMind.

Farrans to deliver £100million upgrade for Leeds Airport

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eeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has announced over a £100m investment into a vital regeneration of its terminal facilities which will dramatically improve the passenger experience and help unlock economic growth for the region.

Approved by Leeds City Council, the work is set to commence in autumn 2023 and is expected to complete in 2026. Farrans Construction has been appointed as the contractor to deliver Phase 1 of the project, the construction of the terminal extension.

Leeds Bradford Airport embarks on terminal regeneration - CGI of the terminal regeneration

CONCRETE FUTURES www.specifymagazine.co.uk

The regeneration will see a 9,500 sq. mt., three storey extension to the existing terminal, alongside a significant refurbishment of the current terminal building. Passengers will benefit from the creation of additional aircraft stands, more seating, faster security, new shops and eateries, and a larger baggage reclaim area and immigration hall, as well as improved access for passengers with restricted mobility.

Cathal Montague, Regional Director at Farrans Construction, said: “We have had a strong connection to Leeds for many years, having delivered a number of important transport and infrastructure projects in the area. Farrans opened a new office in the city centre last year and we are in the final stages of the delivery of a 20-storey student accommodation project on Belgrave Street, Live Oasis St Alban’s Place. We will continue to engage closely with community groups, charities and schools to create local employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities to deliver a positive lasting impact while delivering Leeds Bradford Airport.”

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SPECIFY I 9

DIGEST

VINCI Airports launches £100m investment at Belfast International Airport

DIGEST

Building remediation specialist rebrands to reflect new era of growth

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building remediation specialist has recently announced a new name and visual identity to reflect a new era of growth as demand for their expertise across the UK and Ireland over the next 12 months increases by 60%.

Anamore, formally known as Ballymore Services and Ballymore Civils has undergone a full rebranding project as part of their wider strategic growth strategy. The two companies, which have been in operation since 2014, will now operate under the one brand, Anamore, positioning itself in the construction sector’s most niche service area,

James McCallan and Anthony Marley, Co-Founders & Directors of Anamore.

specifically remediation of unsafe cladding systems, balconies, and internal fire compliance.

Anamore, which is one of the select few dedicated building remediation specialists operating in the UK and Ireland, has just completed a £7.5m cladding remediation and internal fire compliance scheme at Orchard Plaza in Poole, England. The project took 22 months and was completed on budget and on time for their client.

James McCallan, Co-Founder & Director of Anamore: “This is an exciting time for our business and the rebrand reflects that we’re entering a new period of growth.

The judges described Carolyn as, “Someone who inspires others and supports them with passion and commitment to the profession. Driven by a desire to make a change and transform the sector was clear in this submission and it is why they are a worthy winner.”

STEM ambassador from NI named RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year

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elfast-based surveying professional Carolyn Brady has been crowned “Surveyor of the Year” at the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards, which recognise the most inspiring and influential surveyors who have been qualified for up to 10 years.

Carolyn, a building surveyor and regional lead partner for global quantity surveyor and construction consultancy firm Rider Levett Bucknall, won the Building Surveyor/Control Surveyor of the Year award, in addition to securing the overall RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year title in

Carolyn is a Liverpool John Moores University building surveying graduate who worked with Atkins in Warrington, England, before starting with Rider Levett Bucknall in 2017.

the face of stiff competition from other category winners from around the UK. Carolyn was one of five women on the list of 11 category winners in a year when female professionals represented just under 45% of those shortlisted, despite making up just 18% of UK surveyors. The number of women shortlisted this year was 150% higher than in 2018, and 350% higher than in the award’s inaugural year in 2014; an increase that has happened in a period when representation of women in the industry has become much stronger with many more female role models.

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“We’ve been major players in this market for many years and since the Grenfell Tower tragedy we’ve seen many businesses try to diversify and offer remediation services however we’re confident that our track record of 10 years exceeds many of those in the market.

We’re winning more business than ever before in the UK and we’re projecting significant increases in 2024 as the requirements on developers through the building safety repairs pledge come into force and the government Building Safety Fund being rolled out as part of the Building Safety Programme our services are needed more than ever.”

Carolyn Brady wins RICS Matrics Surveyor of the Year at the RICS Matrics Surveyor Awards 2023.

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Training & up-skilling are key for the construction industry ITB NI are focused on skills and training and we work with contractors, professional and trade bodies to support training initiatives and skills development for the overall benefit of the industry. We believe that the key to success is partnerships.

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Date

Topic

Venue

13 December 2023

Advanced Digital & Social Media Marketing

CITB NI

17 January 2024

Social Media for the Construction Industry

Webinar

This approach helps us to identify future opportunities as well as manage the challenges that face our industry – together.

30 January 2024

ISO14001 Environmental Management Awareness - Back to Basics

CITB NI

We constantly encourage our industry to continue to train and develop the skills of their workforce to help overcome challenges, learn more and be better and stronger.

22 February 2024

Digital Construction

CITB NI

29 February 2024

SEO for the Construction Industry

Webinar

Training

13 March 2024

Carbon Management & Carbon Footprinting Including Retrofitting

CITB NI

11 April 2024

ISO50001 Energy Management System Awareness

CITB NI

25 April 2024

Annual Construction Law Update

Webinar

9 May 2024

Waste Management & Waste Legislation

CITB NI

22 May 2024

Google Ads for the Construction Industry

Webinar

13 June 2024

Social Media for the Construction Industry

CITB NI

Date

Topic

Venue

7 December 2023

Timber Damage & Decay in Older Buildings

Webinar

18 January 2024

Traditional Paints & Finishes

Webinar

CITB NI Business Improvement Events are held throughout the year. Over 15 events led by industry experts, covering key topics like CSR Scheme Changes, Quality Control, Data Protection, Digital and social Media, and ISO4001 Environment Management Awareness. These events are short, informal, & easy to book. Sessions are a mix of faceto-face and webinar formats. Don't miss out!

Book Now https://bit.ly/3sQ13Kb CITB NI, are also working in partnership with the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division, to deliver a new Heritage Project which will not only preserve, develop, and deliver heritage skills supply and training in Northern Ireland but will seek to unlock the potential of developing jobs and employment in the construction sector.

It will also help raise awareness of our built heritage, the heritage skills required and promote the preservation and development of traditional crafts and skills.

As part of the project CITB NI will be running a series of training session specifically for heritage skills and development. For further details and to book bit.ly/3KbMtm4 This 3-year CITB NI heritage project is supported by the Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative for Heritage funded by the Department for Communities and administered by the Heritage Fund. The project builds on work undertaken by heritage partners including the former NI Traditional Building Skills Working Group and the NI Heritage Skills Core and Reference Groups.

For further information about the project or events contact heritage@citbni.org.uk For further information on what we can do to help you and your construction training log on to www.citbni.org.uk, like us on Facebook: http:///www.facebook.com/ CITBNorthernIreland or follow the discussion on Twitter @CITBNI and LinkedIn http://linkd.in/1GBeyLf www.specifymagazine.co.uk

SPECIFY I 11

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SPECIFY I 13

Photo Credit: Kelvin Boyes Press Eye

Ciaran Fox, RSUA Director, Paul McAllister RSUA President, Mark Simpson Host of Architecture Night.

Architecture Night highlights best of new and existing talent in the sector

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Photos Credit: Kelvin Boyes Press Eye

Architecture Night at the King’s Hall.

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t can be easy sometimes when we look at the challenges facing the industry to forget to celebrate the successes and innovations across the construction sector.

postgraduates were showcased, with Caolan Laverty winning the Bronze Medal for best undergraduate student and Rian McMahon awarded the Silver Medal for best postgraduate student.

So I’m proud that this year Hays continued as a headline sponsor of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects’ annual Architecture Night, which puts the spotlight on some of the great achievements within the profession and also recognises the best of the next generation of architects.

The event was also an opportunity for me to catch up with Ciarán Fox, CEO of RSUA, not only about issues such as recruitment, retention and talent development but also to hear about some of the business challenges architects in Northern Ireland are dealing with.

The King’s Hall was the setting for a jampacked schedule of live music, presentations and reflective moments on the past, as well as people sharing inspiring visions for the future.

The RSUA see Architecture Night as an incredible opportunity to shed light on the derelict spaces within our city, and how even when they are in that condition, they can serve a transitional purpose before redevelopment begins. The event proudly showcased the talented, up-and-coming architects and students who will undoubtedly play a vital role in such transformative projects in the future.

The event also marked the announcement of the winner of a design competition to repurpose a classic red phone box at the junction of North Street and Waring Street in Belfast’s city centre. The competition entitled ‘Please replace the handset and try again’ was run by RSUA and JP Corry but could only be entered by Early Career Architects. The winning entry, by Julian Manev in collaboration with James Boyd and Erl Johnston, envisions the phone box transformed into a captivating gallery space showcasing collaborations with various institutions. The project will be delivered in partnership with Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District over the coming months.

Recognising the talent and dedication of Belfast’s architectural students, a segment of the evening paid tribute to the outstanding work from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. The six best undergraduates and six best www.specifymagazine.co.uk

As in other parts of the construction world, there has been talk in the industry for some time about the potential for a downturn linked to the spending squeeze and cuts to Government budgets. But Ciarán says at the moment, it’s very much a case of business as usual for architects here.

Paul McAlister RSUA President, Ronnie West JP Corry, Julian Manev winner of the Early Career Architects Design Competition.

“There’s the same feeling that there has been for the last 18 months, that there may be some challenges around the corner, but for now the work is there and our members continue to be busy and operate as normal,” said Ciarán.

“We know that there could be a downturn with the cuts and perhaps with long term leases coming to an end resulting in some changes in the office market. But there will also be opportunities, for example with organisations remodelling their offices to fit new ways of working.”

It’s generally accepted that the shift in how employers use office space hasn’t worked its way through the system completely yet.

Hays research recently found that just

under 40% of workers in Northern Ireland were working in a hybrid way, versus just under 50% who reported working fully in an office, with more people in the public sector operating on a hybrid basis than in the private sector.

Many employers are likely to continue to offer hybrid working to staff, so as leases come up for renewal, they will have to work out demand and need for space, meaning some buildings that were offices will be repurposed and reused.

While there is plenty of work for architectural firms, Ciarán notes that architects continue to run into barriers linked to the water and sewerage infrastructure.

“When architects are trying to convert commercial buildings into accommodation, the big obstacle is it changes the load on the water system. So, very often NI Water says no,” he explains.

“There are buildings that are ripe for redevelopment and money is there to get people living in towns and cities, but the sewerage system can’t cope with it. That impacts the health of a neighbourhood because dereliction brings a place down.”

He adds: “This is having an impact not just on big developments, but on a relatively small scale. So, an office with one toilet, that could have been redeveloped into five apartments gets through planning, but NI Water says no because it would have five toilets, so it can’t progress.

“It means architects are less keen to do work at home in NI. Some younger architects I’ve spoken to would rather do work in Scotland or the Republic of Ireland because they can deliver for clients, rather than end up in that situation.”

Architecture Night showed that the profession is in good health and continuing to bring through the next generation of talent. But there are certainly challenges for architects to overcome in the year ahead.

SPECIFY I 15

Ann Gray interview RICS President outlines three year plan corporate and production facilities, technical upgrades and utility infrastructure.

Tell us about your recent trip to Northern Ireland.

I attended the RICS Northern Ireland conference in Belfast to discuss ways that we can amplify our impact as a profession on issues that matter to society. It was a great opportunity to meet members on their home turf and to hear their perspectives both on their own work and on what RICS means to them, as well as to gather insights on the important roles that surveyors play in their local communities.

What was discussed at the conference?

The main theme of the conference was sustainability, a topic that is a key component of RICS’s 3-year strategic plan.

The ways we build and run homes, offices and industry can have a huge effect on our planet’s future, placing the surveying profession, whether in planning, construction or building management, right at the heart of efforts to meet emissions targets such as Northern Ireland’s 2022 Climate Change Act. We heard from leading local experts on how to navigate the path towards Net Zero with a focus on renewable energy, retrofitting existing buildings and the use of the latest technologies. We also explored challenges such as the skills shortage and ways we can address this ongoing issue.

Have you any specific thoughts on the built environment in Northern Ireland?

Ann Gray FRICS speaking at the RICS NI conference.

A

nn Gray, FRICS is President of RICS. In 2023, as the leader of the profession, she has overseen the reorganisation of the institution and the implementation of reforms that have instilled its mandate as a member-led organisation working to the benefit of society.

16 I SPECIFY

She is founder and principal of Californiabased GRAY Real Estate Advisors which provides consulting services to optimise outcomes for complex properties. Prior to forming her business, Ann was Executive Director of Development at Paramount Pictures where she oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in acquisition, master planning, entitlements and design of

As of 2022, Northern Ireland had the UK's highest concentration of jobs in the financial technology sector and Belfast has had the fastest growing economy of the 30 largest cities in the UK. Nevertheless, Northern Ireland, as with most advanced economies, faces an infrastructure deficit, a housing shortage, and is encumbered by a car-dependent urban environment.

To reach its potential, Northern Ireland’s economic dynamism must be supported by the best skilled and most talented young surveyors at the top of their game in technical standards and sustainable methodologies. We will continue to advocate for government support of apprenticeships and work with industry to deliver training that will help close the skills gap. www.specifymagazine.co.uk

What is the RICS doing to address climate change?

Environmental sustainability is a key pillar of RICS' strategy, with the principle aim of increasing the profession's and the Institution's influence, as we develop and promulgate technical standards, guidance, training, and expert thought leadership.

We are encouraging professionals to embed Net Zero carbon targets as industry standard in both decision making and procurement. After two years of intensive research and modelling by a team of top experts, in September we launched our global Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard that we believe will be effective in bringing consistency to the way that carbon is measured worldwide.

What are your main aims during your presidency of RICS?

accomplish alone. I have requested that they have a standing item on every RICS Governing Council agenda, so that these issues can inform our day-to-day decision making.

You’ve mentioned diversity is high up on RICS’ agenda, what sort of DEI strategies are in place?

There is still a long way to go in transforming some of the unintended consequences of how we administer our credential. For example, women are left behind on the career ladder during childbearing years leading to an imbalance in the profession overall at the senior levels. I have pushed for professional education that can upskill members who

What can be done to address the skills deficit in Northern Ireland?

RICS can have a key role in supporting our Northern Ireland membership as it encourages government to support apprenticeships and non-degree tracks into the profession.

What does the future of the built environment look like?

We recognise that the next ten years will be unprecedented for the built environment. Property is by far the world’s largest asset class. RICS will continue to call for government leaders to acknowledge the importance of the built environment as a key economic driver and the role it can play in promoting a better quality of life in a sustainable regional economy.

NI consistently punches above its weight in technology and NI consistently punches above its weight in technology and manufacturing. This is a huge manufacturing. This is a huge advantage in a growing economy. advantage in a growing

The skills of chartered surveyors are central to many critical aspects of lives in Northern Ireland and elsewhere and studies show that there is a skills shortage within our industry. In order to solve this, we must be looking at talent wherever we can find it and that means an assertive approach to diverse inclusion. Partnerships across the property professions are key. I am at the fore in supporting RICS’ collaboration with other organisations to benchmark our progress on diversity and implement programs that improve what is clearly an imbalance in our demographics.

We have Chairs of Sustainability and DEI that RICS has never had before. They will carry the torch beyond what staff can

take family leave, so that we do not lose their important contributions and they feel welcome coming back. Women are reticent to apply for Fellowship and comprise only 4% of all RICS Fellows. RICS can encourage more women to apply and serve as role models to younger members within the profession.

economy. Property will play a major part in delivering future-proofed digital and physical infrastructure that will drive up living standards. AI and digital twins will increasingly improve the efficiency of existing buildings, simplify Net-Zero performance for new ones and optimise the design of the infrastructure underpinning it all.

With our robust data gathering, clear benchmarks, performance KPIs that are monitored, partnerships with other organisations, and DEI-focused professional development for employers, we can continue to make progress.

RICS sees that reliable, industry-respected standards of measurement and the robust practical frameworks to apply them are fundamental to managing the environmental risk of decisions, or failures to decide, on positive sustainability solutions.

(L-R) Martin Doherty, Justin Young, Ann Gray, Brian Reid and Emma Causer

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

SPECIFY I 17

First Home in Northern Ireland to be heated with HVO biofuel via a Grant Vortex condensing boiler

The first home in Northern Ireland to be heated using HVO biofuel

F

or over 45 years, Grant has been manufacturing innovative, heating products and solutions to help specifiers, developers, builders, architects, installers and engineers provide more ‘climate-friendly’ properties across Northern Ireland. A recent example of this is a new-build home in Co. Down which is the first home in Northern Ireland to be heated using HVO biofuel.

The property, at Ballyfrenis outside Millisle, is using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for space heating via a 26kW biofuelready Grant Vortex condensing boiler (boiler house model). As a result, the home is on course to deliver savings of around five tonnes of carbon dioxide per 18 I SPECIFY

year which is a reduction of almost 90% compared to if using heating oil (kerosene)*.

Earlier this year, the Department for the Economy published its 2023 Energy Strategy Action Plan with the inclusion of low carbon energy sources a key part of the document. With a public consultation on heating planned this summer, the action plan outlines the Department’s priority areas for action in 2023, and high on the list of objectives is replacing high carbon heating sources with lower and zero sources in households and businesses.

In Ballyfrenis the home adaptations have been so successful that the property has had a revised energy performance rating, increasing from B85 to A96, far in excess

of the Northern Ireland average of D60 (A ratings require a score of 92+).

The heating solution was designed by Next Gen Power and OFTEC, the trade association for the liquid fuel industry, who oversaw the boiler conversion while London-based Green Biofuels Ltd supplied the advanced HVO fuel.

Mark Eccles, Grant NI said, “We are delighted that one of our 26kW biofuel compatible Grant Vortex condensing boilers was included in this heating solution. A first for Northern Ireland, this low-carbon heating system has futureproofed this home and is a great example of how HVO could provide a more sustainable way to heat existing homes than a heat pump.” www.specifymagazine.co.uk

The Grant HVO Biofuel compatible Vortex boiler

Key features of the Grant Vortex range:

The Grant Vortex was one of the first condensing oil boilers on the market and this unique product was the catalyst for a sustained increase in boiler efficiencies throughout the industry and reduced running costs for property owners. The higher efficiencies from these appliances have, over the past two decades, contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions on the island of Ireland amounting to many millions of tonnes.

• Features a Riello RDB Burner • High efficiency SEAI Harp "A" Rating • Fully approved OFTEC Standard and EC directive • Simple and quick to install with no complicated wiring.

The Grant Vortex condensing boiler range comprises of 22 models with outputs from 15-70kW and comes in various models including boilerhouse, outdoor, combi and utility variants.

Grant’s dedication to innovation is now more apparent than ever given its move to ensure all new Grant Vortex condensing oil boiler models are now compatible with HVO biofuel, helping to future proof homes. Older Grant condensing boilers can also be adapted to HVO biofuel; these modifications can be carried out by a service engineer during an annual service.

This may require a new biofuel burner that is matched with the specific boiler.

Grant’s dedication to innovation has also been recognised over the last couple of years by many industry award bodies, including at the NI Plumbing & Heating Awards, where the HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex condensing boiler was awarded ‘Innovative Product of the Year’. Grant’s biofuel compatible Vortex technology was considered as a real breakthrough in renewable energy research by the esteemed panel of judges.

The Grant Vortex was then awarded ‘Best Renewable Energy Product’ at the SEAI Energy Show 2022 and was as a finalist in the sustainability category at a recent The Irish Times Innovation Awards.

Visit www.grantni.com for more information on Grant’s range of innovative heating solutions.

Follow Grant on Facebook and X @myGrantNI or Instagram @mygrantni

Think Heating. Think Grant.

The Grant Vortex boiler house model

*The figures used in this article are estimates provided by Ardent Energy Ltd.

Stephen Grant, Founder

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

SPECIFY I 19

KDM Hire unveils €12 million investment in state-of-the-art equipment rental depot to serve greater Dublin

As a major boost to the availability of rental equipment in Dublin and surrounding counties, KDM Hire, one of Ireland's premier rental companies, has proudly unveiled its latest state-of-the-art facility located in Stadium Business Park, Ballycoolin, North Dublin.

20 I SPECIFY

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

R

epresenting an initial investment exceeding €12 million, the new depot cements KDM Hire's commitment of catering to Ireland’s growing infrastructure, industrial and event needs. The facility’s strategic location offers logistical convenience with easy access to the M50, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced service levels.

Spanning a 3-acre site, this “super depot” boasts a blend of indoor and outdoor storage facilities, ensuring equipment remains in prime condition available for immediate hire. The facility incorporates dedicated maintenance and repair workshops along with bespoke wash and pre-hire inspection areas, recognising the importance of delivering equipment that meets the highest safety and operational standards.

With a dedicated training facility offering tailored operator and safety training courses, KDM Hire stand out as an IPAF and PASMA certified training provider.

A convenient trade counter also caters for the hire of specialist lifting gear and the purchase of related items such as harnesses and lifting tackle.

The newly opened depot houses an extensive range of equipment, from access platforms and material handling to specialist lifting equipment. It also includes portable and modular cabins, welfare units, toilets, generators, and site lighting equipment. This impressive inventory positions KDM Hire as the go-to destination for diverse sectors, be it industry, construction, infrastructure, or events, irrespective of scale.

Emphasising their commitment to the local economy, the new Dublin facility will initially employ more than 20 personnel with plans to grow further.

Reflecting on the depot opening, Michael Donnelly, Managing Director at KDM Hire Ltd, added, "Our investment in this cuttingedge facility underscores our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers and the wider community. We are excited to contribute to the local economy by creating job opportunities and look forward to further expansion as we continue to serve the Irish market.”

KDM Dublin staff

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

KDM Hire operates from 5 depots throughout Ireland, currently employing over 220 staff, with an additional depot scheduled for Cork, due to open in early 2024.

SPECIFY I 21

M

embers of Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) Northern Ireland Hub will host a ‘come at your leisure’ event at Europa Hotel in Belfast, featuring more than 20 exhibitions by some of the most recognised companies within the construction sector.

The event, sponsored by Hays, will run between 8am and 12 noon on Wednesday 31 January and will also feature a series of expert presentations.

Jonathan Payne FCIOB, chair of CIOB’s Northern Ireland Hub, said: “I am delighted to be hosting this wonderful event which will give guests the opportunity to learn about all the benefits of becoming a CIOB member.

“We’ve got a superb panel of experts lined up to discuss a variety of hot topics

Leaders behind Northern Ireland’s built environment will come together at a bespoke exhibition in January. within the industry, from addressing the skills gap in construction and how to apply for the next round of the Ireland Construction Awards.”

Several Universities have already confirmed their attendance, creating networking opportunities for young people who are looking to step into construction as a career choice.

Jonathan continued: “One of my biggest ambitions as Chair of the CIOB Northern Ireland Hub is to focus on how we can create more pathways for young people to get into construction.

“Events like Meet the CIOB in January are a great example of how we’re bringing the next generation together with experienced built environment professionals to hopefully inspire their next steps.”

Julie Fitzsimmons, Member Services and Events Coordinator for Northern Ireland at CIOB, added: “We’ve already had a fantastic uptake on tickets for this completely free event and I’m hoping more people will sign up to join us in the coming weeks.

“It’s a perfect chance for anyone working within the construction sector in Northern Ireland to network with fellow built environment professionals, market their business, and learn about all the benefits available to them through CIOB’s various membership options.”

Exhibitor spaces are still available, and you can find out more about how to exhibit by emailing julie.fitzsimmons@ciob.org.uk Tickets are available through the Eventbrite website.

Exhibitors will include GEDA, Training LMS, Women’s Tech, ICW Group, ABL Insurance, Loughtec and Keystone Group, among others.

Meanwhile, presentations will focus on topics like changing some of the negative perceptions surrounding the construction industry.

Attendees will also have the chance to meet CIOB’s Northern Ireland Hub, its Tomorrow’s Leaders champions, and members of staff to discuss membership options and how to upgrade their membership. Light refreshments will also be available.

22 I SPECIFY

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Construction industry commentary by Gerard Graham

Private Sector Client’s Need to Choose Value, Not Cheapness: I regularly review tenders and continue to see a varying price/quality ratio. Just recently I was involved in a substantial tender for an extension to a wellrespected fee-paying school in Belfast. A firm of building surveying and project management consultants were acting as Managing Agent on behalf of their client. I was disappointed to see that the criteria for tender evaluation was simply lowest price. I queried this with them and asked why they decided to allocate zero points to quality.

Unsurprisingly I got a pause followed by a wobbly answer something along the lines that it was due to time pressure.

Ultimately it costs less time for the Managing Agent to evaluate a tender which is simply down to price, so unless there is an incentive to do so, I cannot see why the default position will change from lowest price. Unfortunately, that is unsustainable for progressive contractors that need to make a fair and reasonable profit to invest in their staff and apprenticeships for future development.

Hopefully things will soon change in the private sector, but I doubt it.

Procurement Bill: The Procurement Bill has gained Royal Assent to become the Procurement Act. This means that there is now less than a year to the implementation of farreaching reforms to how public procurement in the UK works. For suppliers to the public sector, it’s crucial to understand what these changes are and how they will be re-drawing the public procurement landscape.

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Social Value: As a result of Procurement Policy Note 01/21, social value is becoming increasingly more important in public sector NI tenders. At increasingly more events this is being presented as a priority area that contractors need to be aware of.

At a recent event hosted by Quigg Golden and the CIOB, it was noted that a 10% minimum weighting for social value is applied for above-threshold public procurements. This is expected to rise to 20%. The message is simple - to win public sector tenders, contractors need to have a strategy to address the following themes: 1. Increasing secure employment and skills.

2. Building ethical and resilient supply-chains.

3. Delivering zero-carbon.

4. Promoting wellbeing.

Society Needs Property Developers: What do doctors, teachers, lawyers, accountants, and property developers all have in common? The answer is they, along with all the other people in society, are all needed to create a modern sustainable environmental for people to work, rest, and play in.

Most private sector companies started as the result of someone seeing a business opportunity, whether that was the principal of a law firm or the owner of a High Street shop; one day they stood up and took a risk on a business venture.

Such entrepreneurial people should be praised for being enterprising and creating employment.

Belfast is no different to any other city in that it is a metropolitan area with a built environment that needs to continually evolve. When buildings become no longer suitable for purpose responsible property development is required. There are many new office buildings being built and planned for Belfast. Many of these schemes become a reality not because of public sector bureaucracy, but because of individuals who had the foresight and vision to identify an opportunity.

Unlike for example the law and accountancy professions where specific courses of study, followed by further qualifications must be attained, property development is not a recognised profession. Property developers identify opportunities and put in place their own teams which include designers, contractors, and financiers – all usually with little or no public sector support and a calculated degree of risk.

The message here is that responsible property development should be welcomed and recognised as an important part of society. Without visionary property developers, the new buildings and offices which are required for the jobs that have been created because of foreign direct investment would not become a reality. I see four new hotels planned for Belfast have been given the green light for development. Let’s support responsible property development in 2024.

Enquiries: Gerard Graham FCIOB, is Principal of Gerard Graham Consulting.

Web: www.gerardgraham.co.uk

SPECIFY I 23

in 10 years T

he cost of building materials in Northern Ireland have risen by as much as 100 per cent on average over the past ten years according to the latest prices released by Belfast based MCL Construction Consultants.

Comparing costs with those in Specify in 2013 many of the prices have doubled in that period.

Construction continues to face significant cost pressures, and while the rate of price rises may have slowed down compared to 2021, inflation, transport costs and the war in Ukraine have all contributed to increases.

Steel prices might have eased slightly this year, but the cost of energy-intensive products such as cement, precast concrete and insulating materials have continued to rise, some by as much as 40% in the past year alone. Back in 2013, Specify quoted Portland cement at £132 per tonne, the current price is now £316 per tonne, well over double the cost in ten years.

Similarly the prices of concrete blocks have risen from £360 per 1000 to £630 per 1000.

lication. sponsor its pub of this data and sultancy onthly collation g and other con ntity surveyin bility for the bi-m osals. qua onsi l prop ona nt resp ke essi hme erta red prof refurbis n chosen to und of quality assu ding design or of local sources sed to have bee a wide range ice for their buil from a variety pany are plea firm provides nt for their iate contract adv erial, having been assessed V B Evans & Com of experience in business the a local mercha ey and appropr al prices with rs h building mat value for mon to verify individu With over 65 yea nts who seek ket price of eac clie ised mar nd adv the of Irela are e which ders hern ude information are representativ be named. Rea services to Nort incl to here to d not ent er lishe ndm pref ate es pub oses. for ame economic clim The Specify Pric guidance purp e suggestions ent competitive averaged for any constructiv hich in the pres uld welcome are necessarily

prices up 100%

82 | prices

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Allan Wilén, economics director at UK based Glenigan said, “The impact of the rise in material and labour costs is evident in the overall cost of construction. Average construction costs rose by 1.5% in the final quarter of 2022 to stand 9.7% up on a year earlier. New build projects are typically more material intensive and at 11.8% saw the sharpest annual increase in costs.”

Turner & Townsend’s International Construction Market Survey (ICMS) for 2023 said Belfast’s growth in cost inflation meant construction cost per square metre hit £2,259 in 2022, up 11% and outstripping London’s 10% rate.

24 24 II SPECIFY SPECIFY

Chartere

www.specifymagazine.co.uk www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Here are the building materials price list pages from the December/ January 2013 issue of SPECIFY. Compare these prices to the latest 2023 price list on the next pages.

48 INTERVIEWS KS

CONCRETE BLOC

AGGREGATES

ast ered Central Belf Full loads deliv

ered to rete blocks, deliv off-loaded Metric-sized conc cally loads, mechani per 1,000 Belfast area, full £420.00 2 /mm £410.00 440x215x100 3.5N 2 m £360.00 440x215x100 7Nm 2 mm 10N 100 215x £496.00 440x 2 m 7Nm x100 £447.00 4440x300 2 mm 10N 100 £380.00 440x300x 2 mm 15N £785.00 Concrete brick 440x215x100 Tolite

per tonne £13.00 £13.50 £12.50 £12.50 £14.50 £18.00 £18.00 £15.00

50mm Crusher run run 100mm Crusher Fine Blinding Coarse Blinding 6mm Stone 10mm Stone Building Sand Washed Sand

FINISHED SOFT

BRICKS

ered rete bricks deliv Metric-sized conc

es but w ds since our pric ce to readers particular nee be of assistan these pages may ds. ly.

We hope that ounts will app r nee e of VAT. Disc ropriate to you yright. es are exclusiv would be app Pric als and is cop . odic 2013 peri July ify at ifically for Spec Material prices spec d pile is com This information

Facings Antique Blanchardstown Mixture Fergustie Country Richmond Mixture Irish Dacharne Devenish ured Ardagh Gold Text ured Lismore Slate Text

per 1,000 £355.00 £364.00 £312.00 £341.00 £305.00 £305.00 £295.00

because of the s s are not included NB Clay brick price types, quality and prices from variou in enormous variation sources.

CARCASSING TIM

ed Surveyors

View, Heron Road ast BT3 9LE 28 9045 7000 028 9045 7040 ww.vbevans.com in oleraine And Dubl

tity Surveying ing Surveying t Management nning Supervision

WOOD

rd, random lengths, Per 100 metres, ex-ya Parana Pine 20x8 44x8 Whitewood 32x12 69x12 32x19 44x19 32x32 69x32 69x44 94x44 69x69

BER

lengths, not ex-yard, random Per 100 metres, res. per 100m exceeding 5.7 met £43.90 £65.60 50x19 75x19 £106.70 £39.90 125x19 £48.50 38x25 £95.90 75x25 £74.40 150x25 50x38 £112.90 £89.50 100x38 38 £89.50 150x 50x50 £141.20 £159.80 100x50 £194.50 125x50 £449.00 100x75 £349.00 200x75 150x100

CEMENT ered in 15-tonne Bulk Cement deliv Area to Greater Belfast Cement Ordinary Portland Cement Sulphate Resisting

£55.70 £86.40 £47.30 £74.60 £56.00 £67.00 £74.00 £125.00 £161.60 £211.00 £240.00

D INDUSTRIAL AN BOARD FIRE-RESISTING of delivery.

Prices are exclusivenon-combustible asbestos-free 2 Terms for SUPALUX - price per sheet up to 149m d fire-resisting boar 12mm 9mm 6mm ed sand sanded sanded £64.00 £48.30 £46.60 2440x1220

READY MIXED CONC

RETES

1 10 by volume 1 2 4 by volume 1 3 6 by volume 20 N/mm2 20mm aggre gate 25 N/mm2 20mm aggre gate 30 N/mm2 20mm aggre gate

e building -free multi-purpos Class O asbestos h. board sanded finis to 149m2 up t shee per Price 12mm 9mm 6mm £87.30 £69.80 £58.10 2440x1220

per cub. metre £61.00 £75.00 £67.00 £61.00 £65.00 £67.00

loads per tonne £132.00 £155.00

Belfast ered to Central per tonne In full loads deliv £24.00 mortar lime 1 dard £42.00 Stan Y4 ref. ar mort £49.00 Tinted Y15 £42.00 Y135 £51.00 Y91 £48.00 Y10

TERIA PLASTERING MA

ES

Fibre Cement Slates Thrutone Thrutone Relief

Concrete tiles delivered Centr

£273.00 £329.00

£8.00 £9.20 £12.20 £25.50

per 1,000 £1460.00 £1580.00 al Belfast

Interlocking 昀at tile Double roll tile Single roll tile

£291.00 £6.70 £9.80 £12.15

ex-yard

£850.00 £850.00 £850.00

alf round ridge tile - 457m Angular ridge tile - 457m m long m long

per tile £4.50 £5.40

114x19 89x12 114x12 89x12 94x12

T G Whitewood TG Whitewood TG Whitewood TG Redwood TG Open Redwood

BS reference

Per 100 metres, ex-ya rd, random lengths. £197.30 £280.60 £218.70 £329.60 £449.00 £267.90 £403.20 £551.80

eavy section steel ex-ya C 152x152x23 203x203x46 254x254x73 305x305x118 356x368x153

£36.50 £68.06 £94.24 £175.56 £109.56 £187.71 £232.65 £405.90 £209.24 £455.60 £697.47

Per 100 metres, ex-ya rd, random lengths, finished sizes

Check us out on socia l media www.specifymagaz ine.info

www.specifymagazine.co.uk www.specifymagazine.co.uk

NT

£1065.00 £1015.00 £1015.00 £1015.00 £1015.00

TERMS FOR GLASSR

OCK

Non-combustible asbes tos-free fire-resisting board - price per sheet up to 149m2.

2400x1200

6mm sanded £45.70

10mm sanded £48.80

12.5mm sanded £65.21

UPVC DRAIN PIPES AND FITTINGS

SOFTWOOD SHELVING 119x12 144x12 169x12 219x12 119x19 144x19 194x19 244x19 269x19

s 2OOFING AND #LADDING s 4IMBER IN #ONSTRUC TION

rd in lots of over 5T per tonne £835.00 £1065.00 £1190.00 £1015.00 £1190.00

Per 100 metres, ex-ya rd, random lengths.

50x25 100x25 150x25 275x25 75x50 125x50 175x50 250x50 100x75 200x75 250x75

£80.30 £60.50 £69.90 £80.80 £94.00

per sheet £28.00 £28.00 £32.00 £36.00 £60.00 £60.00 £75.00

A 98 A142 A193 A252 A393 B503 B785

B 305x165x40 356x127x37 406x140x39 457x152x52 533x210x82

SAWN WHITEWOOD

INTERVIEWS 49

Mild Steel reinforcing bars to BS 4449. igh yield steel reinforcing bars to BS One si e, bent and labelle 4449/4461. d, per tonne, delivered Central Belfast to Diameter/mm Mild Steel igh Yield 6 £635.00 £695.00 8 £635.00 £695.00 10 £635.00 £695.00 12 £635.00 £695.00 20 £635.00 £695.00 25 £635.00 £695.00 32 £635.00 £695.

00 40 £635. £695.00 Mesh Fabric to BS 4483 00 ex-yard per sheet (one or mixed references)

SAWN REDWOOD 100x50 150x50 100x63 150x63 200x63 100x75 150x75 200x75

al media ne.info

In the next issue of

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, finished sizes.

STEEL REINFORCEME

ROOF SLATES AND TIL

LS

arrangement) orks (delivery by gypsum Per tonne, ex-w egate pre-mixed Lightweight aggr Part 2. , plaster to BS 1191 rcoat Metal lathing unde Bonding Finish ard to BS 1230 Gypsum plasterbo x 1200 mm) mm per sheet (2400 terboard 9.5mm thick plas ard acked plasterbo foil-b 9.5mm thick m) 1219mm x 406m per bundle (6 Nr terlath 9.5mm thick plas ard terbo plas ack 9.5mm thick foil-b per 100 lin. feet ard angle bead Galvanised stand terstop (10mm) Galvanised plas rnal renderstop Galvanised exte

SOFTWOOD FLOORI NG, SHEETING AND PAN ELING

Ordinary Portland Ceme nt delivered to Central Belfa in full loads st

MASTERBOARD

onne delivered in 15-t Bagged cement Belfast Area per tonne loads to Greater £328.00 ent Cem Ordinary Portland

ARS CEMENT MORT

finished sizes. per 100m

£78.10 £93.30 £108.80 £163.20 £95.80 £127.60 £172.00 £233.00 £324.10

Pipes and fittings to BS 4600. List price ex-yard.

Large quantities will attrac t considerable discounts.

Plain sewer, per 6m Pipe coupler, ea Single oblique branch, ea Single swept branch, ea 45˚ short radius, ea 87 ˚ short radius bend, ea 45˚ long radius bend, ea 90˚ long radius bend, ea Straight channel 45˚ curved channel, ea

110mm 160mm £9.80 £21.70 £3.15 £7.00 £10.50 £23.70 £11.50 £23.70 £5.80 £15.40 £5.70 £13.60 £16.00 £30.40 £17.80 £31.00 £17.15 £28.80 £20.90 £54.80

December/January 2013/14

SPECIFY II 25 25 SPECIFY

Northern Ireland Material Costs November 2023 Cost are based on a list prices and where possible reflect an average between suppliers; it should be noted that actual quantities of materials determine the final price; individual contractor's trade discounts will have to be applied; prices listed have been based on a Greater Belfast area and therefore delivery charges will need to be applied for other location. Base date: November 2023. Material costs (excluding VAT).

Unit

Cost/Unit

3mm dust Blinding 6mm aggregate including Type 3 10mm aggregate including Type 3 14mm aggregate including Type 3 20mm aggregate including Type 3 32mm aggregate including Type 3 25mm crusher run 40mm crusher run 50mm crusher run 65mm crusher run 100mm crusher run 150mm crusher run Recycled fill – uncrushed Recycled fill – crushed Building sand Washed sand Kiln dried sand

Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne

£13.65 £13.75 £14.00 £16.00 £14.50 £15.00 £14.25 £13.00 £13.00 £13.00 £13.00 £13.00 £13.00 £9.00 £10.50 £25.00 £25.00 £25.00

READY MIX CONCRETE: (Based a full lorry load) C8/10 C12/15 C16/20 C20/25 C25/30 C28/35 C32/40 C40/50

M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M3

£90.50 £92.50 £94.50 £96.50 £98.50 £100.50 £102.50 £113.00

CEMENT: (bagged) Ordinary Portland Cement

25 kg bag

£7.91

CONCRETE BLOCKS: Commons: 440 x 215 x 100 7N/mm2 solid block 440 x 215 x 100 10N/mm2 solid block 440 x 215 x 150 7N/mm2 solid block 440 x 215 x 150 10N/mm2 solid block 440 x 300 x 100 7N/mm2 solid block 440 x 300 x 100 10N/mm2 solid block 440 x 100 x 100 7N/mm2 soap bar block 440 x 150 x 100 7N/mm2 soap bar block

1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000

£600.00 £630.00 £860.00 £900.00 £860.00 £900.00 £550.00 £520.00

Fair Faced concrete blocks: 440 x 215 x 100 10N/mm2 solid blocks

1000

£1,425.00

Thermal Lightweight block 440 x 215 x 100 7N/mm2 block; thermal density 0.320W/m2C

1000

£1,620.00

Commons: Concrete brick 215 x 100 x 65 15N/mm2

1000

£345.00

Facings: Concrete facing bricks: (average mid-range price) Red rustic brick Red smooth brick Blue engineering brick

1000 1000 1000

£394.00 £338.00 £358.00

Clay bricks: (average mid-range price) Red brick Multi red brick Buff brick Blue engineering brick

1000 1000 1000 1000

£780.00 £780.00 £880.00 £1,100.00

BRICKS:

MORTAR: Ready mix mortar M4 Ready mix mortar M6 Ready mix mortar M6 Coloured (dark colour)

26 I SPECIFY

Unit

Cost/Unit

Roll Roll

£42.50 £50.00

Roll

£4.82

Roll

£7.25

Roll

£10.85

Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne Tonne

£780.00 £780.00 £780.00 £780.00 £780.00 £780.00 £780.00

sheet sheet sheet sheet

£18.00 £24.50 £32.00 £50.00

Length Length Length Length Length Length Length Length

£6.09 £8.19 £9.69 £13.35 £15.17 £17.34 £19.51 £31.14

Length Length Length Length

£4.59 £6.48 £7.55 £9.72

Length Length

£2.21 £3.64

Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre Metre

£2.18 £3.05 £3.50 £3.91 £7.52 £0.63 £1.02 £1.02 £1.41 £1.06 £1.53 £1.98 £1.42 £1.75 £2.05 £2.53 £2.59

Metre Metre Metre

£2.55 £2.53 £0.50

Metre Metre Metre Metre

£5.78 £2.40 £2.78 £1.44

Metre

£14.08

DAMP PROOF MEMBRANES:

AGGREGATES:

m3 m3 m3

£124.00 £184.00 £164.00

1000g sheet; 100m2 per roll 1200g sheet; 100m2 per roll 100mm wide High Performance Damp Proof Course (30m per roll) 150mm wide High Performance Damp Proof Course; (30m per roll) 215mm wide High Performance Damp Proof Course; (30m per roll)

STEEL REINFORCEMENT: Mild steel: 8mm diameter 10mm diameter 12mm diameter 20mm diameter 25mm diameter 32mm diameter 40mm diameter Mesh fabric; 4.8m x 2.40m sheets A142 A193 A252 A393

TIMBER: Structural/Carcassing:4.80m lengths Carcassing Regularised C16; 100 x 35 100 x 47 150 x 35 150 x 47 175 x 47 200 x 47 225 x 47 225 x 75 Cacassing; Treated 100 x 22 150 x 22 175 x 22 225 x 22 Roof battens; Treated 50 x 22 50 x 35 Whitewood; PAR sizes 110 x 19 169 x 19 194 x 19 219 x 19 269 x 32 44 x 19 44 x 25 44 x 32 44 x 44 69 x 12 69 x 32 69 x 44 94 x 12 94 x 19 94 x 32 94 x 44 144 x 19 Whitewood door framing/lining: 119 x 32 132 x 32 32 x 12 door stop Redwood Door frame 97 x 57; rebated Architrave/skirting 119 x 19; bevelled/moulded Architrave/skirting 144 x 19; bevelled/moulded Architrave/skirting 69 x 19; moulded/moulded Hardwood Mahogany Door frame 97 x 57; rebated

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Unit

Cost/Unit

SHEETING: Malaysian Plywood; 2440 x 1220 sheets 5.5mm thick Sheet 9mm thick Sheet 12mm thick Sheet 18mm thick Sheet 25mm thick Sheet Marine Plywood; 2440 x 1220 sheets 12mm thick Sheet 18mm thick Sheet OSB 3 SE Board; 2440mm x 1220mm 9mm thick Sheet 11mm thick Sheet 18mm thick Sheet Chipboard Flooring T&G 4 Edge P4; 2400mm x 600mm 18mm thick Sheet 22mm thick Sheet MDF; 2440mm x 1220mm Sheet 12mm thick Sheet 18mm thick Sheet MDF Moisture Resistant; 2440 x 1220 Sheet 12mm thick Sheet 18mm thick Sheet Fibre Cement Board; 2400 x 1200 sheet 9mm thick Sheet 12mm thick; Sheet

£14.60 £19.38 £21.45 £31.40 £47.86 £34.94 £49.65 £10.09 £11.79 £15.98 £11.18 £13.72 £19.19 £23.43 £24.71 £31.68 £31.74 £39.66

FENCING: Timber Square Fencing Post 75mm x 75mm; 2.4m long Timber Square Fencing Post 100mm x 100mm; 2.4m long Timber rails; 75 x 44 splayed; m long 4.20m long Timber Fencing 150mm x 22mm Bevelled Top & Bottom; 2.10m long

each

£5.31

each each

£9.42 £5.31

each

£2.59

m m m m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 Box Box Box Box sausage Tube Roll Roll Bag Bag

£2.18 £2.20 £2.29 £4.67 £3.05 £6.74 £7.18 £6.74 £4.09 £6.28 £6.79 £10.41 £19.58 £16.00 £18.00 £13.60 £8.81 £6.00 £13.50 £11.30 £14.40

METAL PARTITIONING: 72mm C channel 70 vertical stud; 3600mm long 50 top hat channel; 3600mm long 9.5mm plasterboard; (1800 x 900 sheets) 12.5mm plasterboard 12.5mm fireline board 12.5mm moisture resistant plasterboard 12.5mm soundblock board 15mm plasterboard 15mm moisture resistant plasterboard 15mm soundblock board 8mm x 100mm Hammer fixings; 100 per box Wafer Head Jack-Point Screws 13mm; 1000 per box 25mm drywall screws; 1000 per box 35mm drywall screws; 1000 per box Sealant; 600 ml Intumescent and acoustic Mastic; Class F; 310 ml Paper joint tape 51mm wide x 150m per roll Corner tape; 240mm wide x 300m per roll Joint filler; 10kg/bag Esi-fill 60; 25kg/bag

INSULATION: 100mm roofspace insulation m2 150mm roofspace insulation m2 70mm slab insulation for internal metal stud partitions £6.25 50mm PIR insulation; 2400 x 1200 sheets Sheet 75mm PIR insulation; 2400 x 1200 sheets Sheet 100mm PIR insulation; 2400 x 1200 sheets Sheet 50mm floor insulation; 2400 x 1200 sheets Sheet 75mm floor insulation; 2400 x 1200 sheets Sheet 100mm floor insulation; 2400 x 1200 sheets Sheet

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Unit

Cost/Unit

PLASTER:

£3.80 £5.70 m2 £22.00 £31.00 £42.00 £24.00 £36.00 £41.00

Bonding Coat; 25kg/bag Carlite finish; 25kg/bag Skim Coat; 25kg/bag Angle Bead Galvanised; 3m long Plaster Stop Bead 10mm; 3m long Movement Bead Galvanised; 3m long Plastop Galvanised; 3mm; 2.40m long PVC Angle Bead; white; 10mm; 2.50m long Plaster Stop PVC; white; 10mm; 2.50m long

Bag Bag Bag Length Length Length Length Length Length

£13.49 £10.65 £11.77 £2.20 £3.86 £19.28 £2.69 £2.73 £2.88

RENDER: Ready mixed render; sand:cement (1:3) with waterproofing additive M3 £125.00 PVC angle bead; 2.5m long Length £2.10 PVC stop bead; 13mm; 2.5m long Length £2.10 PVC bellcast bead; 2.5m long Length £3.00

MF CEILINGS: Framing MF6A (perimeter channel); 3600 mm lengths MF7 (primary channel); 3600 mm lengths MF5 (top hat); 3600 mm lengths MF9 (clips) ; 200 per box GA2 (strap hanger angle) Boarding

m m m Box m

£1.53 £2.03 £2.29 £56.90 £1.44

12.5mm plasterboard 25mm drywall screws; 1000 per box

m2 Box

£6.74 £16.00

Concrete tiles 420 x 330 plain tiles; (average mid-price) 419 x 330 double roll tiles; (average mid-price) Half round ridge; 455mm long Angle ridge tile; 455mm long Fibre cement slates; 600 x 300 Angle ridge tile; 525mm long Bangor blue natural slate 500 x 300 Angle ridge tile; 455mm long

m2 m2 each each m2 each m2 each

£11.00 £11.00 £4.50 £4.50 £25.00 £4.50 £125.00 £8.00

Water resistant membrane reinforced roofing underlay; 75m2/roll

Roll

£145.00

m3

£105.00

Length nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr Length nr nr nr nr nr nr

£20.00 £3.50 £3.50 £18.00 £18.00 £10.00 £10.00 £20.00 £26.00 £40.00 £7.00 £14.00 £28.00 £28.00 £21.00 £21.00

ROOF COVERINGS:

FLOOR SCREEDS: Semi-dry concrete screed mix; full lorry load

DRAINAGE PIPES & FITTINGS: uPVC 110mm diameter pipe; 6m length D/S Pipe Coupler Short Radius Bends – 87.5º A R P/E Long Radius Bend – 90º D/S Long Radius Rest Bend – 87.5º Equal Junction – 87.5º Equal Junction – 45º A B S/S Universal Gully Trap P/E Vertical Inlet Hopper 160mm diameter pipe; 6m length D/S Pipe Coupler Short Radius Bends – 87.5º A R P/E Long Radius Bend – 90º D/S Long Radius Rest Bend – 87.5º Equal Junction – 87.5º Equal Junction – 45º

19B Weavers Court Business Park, Linfield Road, Belfast BT12 5GH Tel: +44(0)2890 249330 E-mail: mail@mccarthy-lilburn.co.uk SPECIFY I 27

Effortlessly control your commercial risks with Cetra.io the contract cost management software.

Cetra.io is a transformational tool for cost engineers and project managers driving successful project control. Improving productivity and profitability, reducing commercial risk and boosting efficiency for Owners, Tier 1 Suppliers, JV's and throughout the supply chain.

The Benefits Stop losing out on Scope change & delays Cetra.io allows you to embrace change, captures evidence in real-time and effortlessly create applications for payment.

Create collaborative success Bridge the gap in Joint Ventures for colaborative success.

Cetra.io empowers and unifies stakeholders with it's secure eco system.

Eliminate spreadsheet overload Cetra.io takes the complexity out of commercial management & automates data collection. Gain real-time visibility and improve decision-making.

Unite your team Eliminate separate silos and duplication. Unlock the potential within your data with Cetra.io and start your digital transformation today!

Get in touch to experience the power of Cetra.io contact@cetra.io

+44 (0)1229 327 727

www.cetra.io

Cetra.io: The practical software solution for contract cost management Cetra.io: Revolutionising Commercial Management "Cetra.io, a modern Contract and Commercial Management software solution," Guy emphasises, "first emerged 20 years ago and is a game-changer for cost engineers and the commercial side of contract management." With a suite of features designed to streamline every aspect of commercial management, it's an indispensable tool in a cost engineer's environment.

Seamless Timesheets

Guy Ritch of Cetra.io

I

n the complex world of construction and engineering projects, managing contracts and associated costs can be a daunting task.

The role of a cost engineer in this landscape is pivotal. "These professionals are tasked with keeping projects on budget, tracking expenses, and ensuring that every change or additional work is accounted for," says Guy Ritch, Director of Cetra.io. In this arena, precision and efficiency are the name of the game, and that's where Cetra.io comes into the picture.

Cost Engineers: The Guardians of the Budget "Cost engineers are responsible for maintaining the financial health of a project," Guy explains. "They oversee every financial aspect, from budgeting to tracking expenses and ensuring that all costs are accurately represented in applications for payment and valuations submitted to the client. It's a role that requires meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to accuracy."

"One of the most time-consuming aspects of cost engineering is timesheet management," Guy says. "Cetra.io simplifies this process, allowing for easy entry, approval, and tracking of timesheets. This efficiency not only saves time but also minimises the potential for errors."

Effortless Procurement "Cetra.io ensures that procurement is a breeze," Guy continues. "It streamlines the procurement process, from requisition to approval, and tracks the entire procurement cycle. This means that cost engineers can stay on top of expenses and maintain a clear record of all procurement activities."

Capturing Change and Additional Works "Change is a constant in construction and engineering projects," Guy remarks.

"Cetra.io excels at capturing changes in scope or additional works. It ensures that

every change is documented, tracked, and reported accurately, allowing costengineers to manage costs effectively and transparently."

Integrated Valuation and Application "The real magic happens when it's time to submit applications for payment and valuations," Guy explains. "Cetra.io effortlessly pulls together all the costs, from timesheets to procurement to changes, and stitches them into a comprehensive report. This means that cost engineers can present a clear, accurate, and fully-documented valuation to clients with ease."

The Way Forward "Cetra.io isn't just a software solution," Guy points out. "It's a transformational tool for cost engineers and the commercial side of contract management. By automating time-consuming tasks, ensuring data accuracy, and providing real-time insights, Cetra.io empowers cost engineers to excel in their roles. It's a step towards greater efficiency, reduced risk, and, ultimately, more successful projects."

In the fast-paced world of contract management, Cetra.io is helping cost engineers stay ahead of the curve. With its ability to seamlessly manage timesheets, procurement, and changes, and knit them all together for client submissions, it's proving to be an invaluable asset in the pursuit of financial precision, while also enhancing the overall project and contract experience and boosting profits.

The Spreadsheet Conundrum Historically, the cost engineering profession relied heavily on spreadsheets to manage budgets, track expenses, and capture changes in scope or additional works. While spreadsheets served a purpose, they were far from perfect. "They were error-prone, time-consuming, and challenging to collaborate on," Guy points out, "often becoming a source of frustration for cost engineers." www.specifymagazine.co.uk

SPECIFY I 29

Full steam ahead for

Belfast Grand

Central Station Unlike many other major infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland, Belfast’s all new Grand Central Station is progressing on time and is set to open in Q4 next year.

M

uch of the site was an old railway freight yard which belonged to Translink. The project is a Joint Venture involving Farrans Sacyr, Graham along with Babcock who are railway specialists.

Work is progressing rapidly and currently the main station building is being glazed and the internal fit out has started. The bus stands and train station platforms are being constructed and the first sections of track have been laid. Once completed, it will be the largest integrated transport facility in the island of Ireland.

The design is similar to that of Kings Cross and London Bridge stations in London. The enabling works began in 2020, with the main works construction programme beginning in 2022.

The new station comes as Translink passenger numbers are almost returning to pre-Covid levels and designed to be fully inclusive for all, this impressive high-quality facility will cater for up to 20 million passenger journeys. It will replace the current bus and rail facilities at the Europa Bus

Centre and Great Victoria Street train station and the new station is ten times the size of the existing site. The cross-border Enterprise service will relocate to the new station from the old Lanyon (Central) Station once the new facility is operational and Translink hope to increase the frequency of the Enterprise in conjunction with Irish Rail.

This new bridge (in the distance) has been constructed to allow buses to cross the railway line.

30 I SPECIFY

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

The new station will have 26 bus stands and 8 railway platforms and the building will be fully accessible and comprise of a modern spacious facility with mezzanine level and retail space. The new public realm space directly in front of the new station will be known as Saltwater Square and is expected to become a focal point for outdoor performances and community events.

The biggest problem encountered so far has been the Belfast sleech. Belfast sleech is the local name given to a mixture of soft clay, silt, peat and mud that lies beneath much of Belfast. It is notoriously challenging to build on and the site required almost 2000 piles driven down 25 metres to the bed rock underneath.

Farrans Sacyr JV are building the new station, while Graham have constructed a new bridge for buses over the railway line. Translink has ensured that where possible, all materials have been locally supplied. Moore Concrete, for instance, has supplied to railway sleepers for the new station. Next summer, there is expected to be around 12 weeks of disruption to railway services as the track is realigned with the new station.

The station construction is due to be completed in Q4 2024, ready for operational opening, with full project completion including dedicated public realm space and upgrades in 2025. The Weavers Cross area will continue to be developed over the next 10 to 15 years and given its close proximity to the City Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and both universities, it is reported that there is much interest from life science companies for research and development facilities.

This will become the bus concourse.

The new station will have 8 railway platforms.

A model of how the new Belfast Grand Central Station and surrounding areas will look when complete.

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

SPECIFY I 31

30 I SPECIFY

www.specifymagazine.info

www.specifymagazine.info

SPECIFY I 31

Work Well LiveWell

Antrim based interior fit-out specialists, Marcon Fit-Out, are reaping the rewards of the free Work Well Live Well programme, delivered by Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), which is available to local businesses aiming to improve workplace health and wellbeing.

W

ork Well Live Well is a

Why sign up to Work Well Live Well?

FREE workplace health

• Delivery of Health Champion training for employees.

• Access to three free NICHS Well Talks or Well Webinars for staff.

• Provision of advanced workplace health training including Mental Health First Aid. • Professional networking opportunities for Health Champions.

• Support with signing up to and implementing the Equality Commission’s Mental Health Charter.

• Provision of resources for health and wellbeing initiatives.

• All workplaces that successfully complete Work Well Live Well will receive a workplace health and wellbeing award.

• Ongoing support from our experienced Workplace Health and Wellbeing team.

and wellbeing support programme funded by

the Public Health Agency (PHA) and delivered by Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS).

The aim of Work Well Live Well is to help local workplaces to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees through personalised support. The programme begins by supporting you to carry out a health and wellbeing survey in your workplace, analysing the results to determine health priorities and subsequently developing a bespoke, 3-year health action plan for your team.

34 I SPECIFY

If you would like to register your interest in this programme, please visit:

www.nichs.org/workwelllivewell www.specifymagazine.co.uk www.specifymagazine.info

Kilwaughter Minerals transforms construction market with two new product launches

E

xternal wall insulation (EWI) solutions, K Systems, along with quarry and minerals processor Kilwaughter Minerals, have launched two innovative new systems to the construction industry.

The most recent innovation, a new KIWA BDA-certified Direct Fix system is ideal for new build or retrofit steel framed structures of any height, delivers outstanding cost efficiency compared to cavity-based systems, and offers four stunning finishes, the widest range available on the market, with A1 fire resistance options within that.

The new solution by K Systems represents a significant R&D investment and follows extensive market research in partnership with existing customers and stakeholders.

The launch of the distinctive and transformative Direct Fix system comes hot on the heels of K Systems’ introduction of its new M VBriQ+ system to market.

Pictured (left to right) are Sales Director David Grace, Business Development Director Caroline Rowley, and Chief Executive Gary Wilmot.

Kilwaughter Minerals’ Business Development Director, Caroline Rowley, said: “At Kilwaughter Minerals, we pride ourselves on maintaining continuous dialogue with our customers and the broader market to innovate and formulate new products tailored to their evolving needs.

“We understand growing industry demand for EWI systems that are not

launch and the A1 rated M VBriQ+ launch takes K Systems’ A1 portfolio to four A1 rated systems, evidencing the company’s equal dedication to safety and compliance in addition to innovation.

Benefits of the newly introduced Direct Fix system also include an easier, faster installation process for applicators due to significantly reduced components, and an option for category one impact resistance rating guaranteeing buildings maintain a pleasing aesthetic for longer, and an unrivalled variety of finishes, colours and textures.

Chief Executive of Kilwaughter Minerals, Gary Wilmot, added: "At K Systems, safety is non-negotiable, so we are proud to once again have our products awarded with the industry’s highest A1 fire resistance rating, enabling us to offer a solution that provides complete peace of mind to both customers and residents alike.

The A1 fire-resistant mineral wool system with clay brick slip finish is a perfect architectural solution for buildings at all height levels and offers exceptional levels of durability and workability.

The system is available in a variety of colours and textures providing unrivalled choice for customers to achieve their desired aesthetic with a standard range of brick slips available in stock. www.specifymagazine.co.uk

only cost effective but that comply with stringent safety regulations whilst also offering superior durability.

“With Direct Fix we have perfected an unmatched product which ticks all of those boxes, and we are delighted to finally bring it to market.”

Two of the four finishes available with Direct Fix are A1 rated systems, offering the highest standards of fire safety. This

“The launch of both systems is a shining example of our ability to deliver innovation without compromise and further testament to our prowess in creating products which provide tangible advantages for both those working with our systems and those living in the designated buildings.“ K Systems is a trusted supplier of EWI systems into the UK market for over 30 years and boasts a proven track record of reliability and durability.

SPECIFY I 35

Farrans awarded £45m contract for inspired villages

F

arrans Construction, has been appointed by Inspired Villages to begin construction of a £45m retirement community in Sonning Common, South Oxfordshire.

Farrans’ first phase of works will include 73 high-quality, bespoke homes for over 65s and a state-of-the-art wellness suite within the village centre.

The Sonning Common scheme, once delivered in full, will provide 133 ageappropriate, sustainable homes for around 150 over 65s, as well as impressive facilities including a restaurant, cafe, hairdressers, library and craft rooms and a wellness centre comprising a swimming pool, steam room, treatment rooms and a gym with a fitness studio. Some of these features such

T

he final quarter of 2023 got off to a lacklustre start in terms of UK construction spending on new contract awards.

Down by just over a third on last year, awards totalled £5.3bn in October as all but the education and hotel, leisure and sport sectors failed to match 2022 levels according to the latest analysis from Barbour ABI. Commercial and retail awards were a meagre £391m, a 75% drop compared with October 2022, and residential and infrastructure awards were down by 27% and 34% respectively.

as the gym, pool, restaurant and café will be open to the wider community.

Inspired Villages is an award-winning developer and operator of integrated retirement communities supported by joint venture funding to the tune of £500m from NatWest Group Pension Fund and Legal & General. Sonning Common joins a fast-growing pipeline that puts Inspired Villages on track to deliver its plan of creating 34 communities comprising of 5,100 homes for 8,000 over 65s.

Glenn Gilmore, Regional Director for Farrans Construction, said: “Sonning Common is an exciting development in the heart of an area which is experiencing significant demand for retired living accommodation, and we are looking

Education & Health applications shine in subdued construction market Rebuilding Programme which suggests this programme is still making slow progress against the DfE’s plan.”

“2024 is shaping up to be a very challenging year for the construction sector,” said Barbour ABI Consulting Economist Kelly Forest. “New contract awards through to October have trailed 2022 levels by 14% in cash terms, meaning there will be less activity on the ground next year. Infrastructure and hotels, leisure and sport suffered have the steepest losses in 2023 so far, both down by around 30% compared with 2022.”

New planning applications across the UK in September were relatively subdued at £7.4 billion, marking a 5% decline from August and a 28% decrease from the previous year. Yet, the education sector defied this trend, witnessing a 69% increase in applications from 2022 and a 12% rise from August, driven by new school constructions and significant refurbishments.

36 I SPECIFY

forward to working with Inspired Villages to deliver their vision. The design has brought in elements which will encourage a true community spirit, with opportunities to socialise, relax and keep active. We have an extensive later living portfolio in the UK and we understand how important it is to consider and deliver for the end users who will call this home. We will be engaging with the local community throughout our work on site and we look forward to leaving a positive lasting legacy in the area.”

The School Rebuilding Programme is a decade-long Government initiative announced in 2020 is a UK government initiative that aims to improve the quality of education by rebuilding and refurbishing up to 500 primary and secondary schools across the country, with buildings prioritised according to their condition.

“Strong construction cost inflation has plagued this programme and momentum still seems to be lacklustre even as inflationary pressures ease,” Forest concluded.

Forest explained that “smaller interventions to address RAAC issues and backlog maintenance are still important but bigger projects are having the largest impact.

“Meanwhile, out of the eleven £10m plus applications submitted in September, only a couple are being funded via the School

“Notably, Healthcare is poised to be 2024’s good news story as work builds on the government’s delayed New Hospitals Programme. So far this year, three £150m+ hospital projects funded by this programme have secured planning approval,” said Forest. www.specifymagazine.co.uk

E

xpert Trades, a constructionbased marketing consultancy in the Midlands, recently took on its very first property renovation project.

Teaming up with a host of businesses, contractors and suppliers such as Keylite Roof Windows, the property renovation would be documented start-to-finish across social media platforms in a series called, ‘Verified by Expert Trades.’

Keylite Roof Windows raise the roof on Verified Build’s double renovation

The aim of the online series was to inspire and educate those in the construction industry and those interested in renovation, showcasing the best of the best in construction and renovation products and techniques.

The £500,000 property in the village of Marchington, Uttoxeter, was once one large building which had been split into a three-storey house and two-storey cottage by the previous owners. Both properties needed to be completely gutted and fully renovated by Expert Trades and its collaborators.

The works included two full house rewires with the addition of smart technology, new kitchens, bathrooms, downstairs WCs and an ensuite, plus new windows and doors throughout – including four Keylite roof windows.

Sara Callow, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Expert Trades, comments: “This was a beautiful old building where the exterior matched that of the rural village surroundings perfectly.

We wanted to retain as much of the original features as we could, preserving the character of the building whilst also bringing it into the 21st century.”

In the master bedroom of the house, where the ceiling was particularly low, the team decided to incorporate roof windows in order to invite natural daylight into the room.

Sara continues: “We knew roof windows would be the perfect way to lighten and open up the space. I worked for Keylite many years ago, and so knew the benefits that this brand would make to

the renovation compared to other roof windows on the market.

“For example, during the renovation it was discovered that the roof had sunken in places, and so we’d need a whole new roof in order to make it functional. This was not in the schedule or budget, but fortunately our roofers were also big fans of Keylite Roof Windows and knew that the windows could be installed within minutes, thanks to Keylite’s Flick-Fit brackets and Click-Fit flashing. This meant the team could crack on with the task at hand.”

NI Water shares Silent Valley Mountain Park Masterplan consultation progress with public

NI

Water has announced that the initial community engagement project on the future of Silent Valley Mountain Park has been completed.

The next stage is to share the findings of the consultation and gain feedback on the plan, which will then form the basis for future development and funding opportunities for the Silent Valley site.

Eoin Gilmore, Senior Capital Project Manager, NI Water explained: “Silent Valley is a stunning site open for visitors to explore and enjoy, while also operating as a key strategic reservoir providing drinking water for a large part of County Down and the Greater Belfast Area.

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

“The Valley has celebrated some momentous anniversaries; 100 years of the Mourne Wall last year and recently 100 years since the cutting of the first sod which was the beginning of the reservoir we depend upon today. These anniversaries serve as a reminder of the age of the site, with now being the perfect time to assess how we ensure the site is a shared space that can be enjoyed by all for the next 100 years.

“To that end, it was important to hear what the local community and wider NI public wanted to see at the site to make it a truly inclusive attraction for all.

“We were delighted at the range and depth of engagement the community

engagement project generated. Over 1400 online surveys were completed, and the drop-in sessions held in May provided excellent face-to-face engagement between the public and the project team.

“This next stage of rolling out the Masterplan is also important, as it gives us the opportunity to share the vision, take on board any feedback and discuss next steps.

The drop-in sessions are open to all, even those who were not involved in the initial process. If the face-to-face meetings are not suitable, an online survey will be available for a three-week period so everyone can be part of the process and their opinions on the Masterplan as it currently stands can be taken into account.”

SPECIFY I 37

The construction programme and its importance as a projectment management tool

by Jonathan Payne

I

am delighted to have been invited by Specify to be a regular columnist, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts on the construction industry with you.

Hopefully my knowledge from over 30 years in the industry, that includes 23 years as Managing Director of multiple construction companies, my experience as a board member of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and my position as the Chair of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in Northern Ireland, along with my experiences establishing and growing my specialist construction consultancy company, Incrementum, will give me an informed and balanced insight into current and topical issues within our industry today.

One of the significant changes I have noticed in recent years within our industry, is the rise in importance of the construction programme. Gone are the days when a programme was something we produced either at tender stage or at the implementation stage of a project, and then it was often only reviewed periodically at the monthly site meeting.

When I first entered the industry in the early 1990’s, programmes were produced on excel sheets with a few dozen bars produced by colouring cells, the only milestones were the start and completion date, and the critical path was seldom, if at all, highlighted.

Today’s programmes are a totally different animal. The use of excel is long gone, and there are now numerous highly complex dedicated software systems that can produce detailed programmes, often with 38 I SPECIFY

Jonathan Payne

several hundred activities, multiple milestones, linked dependencies, internal and external tasks and multiple summaries and deadlines. In fact, today’s programmes will often list out pre-construction tasks, procurement tasks, schedules of meetings, design develop periods, information release dates, technical submissions, commissioning programmes, handover processes, the list is endless. Taking the programme a step further, and it can also be used to produce cash flows, procurement schedules and resource schedules

My question is, what has driven this rise in the importance of the programme, and is it a good thing for our industry?

I believe that the adoption of the NEC form of contract was the catalyst for the construction programme to take a leading role as a powerful project management tool within the industry. The NEC contract, in its quest to simplify the construction contract and to be fair to all parties, identified programme management as a critical tool in tracking the delivery of a project, and in ensuring when evaluating www.specifymagazine.co.uk

the impact of compensation events, that time implications as well as costs was taken into account simultaneously, and with the introduction of time bars, the planned completion date had to be reviewed and adjusted in a regular and timely manner.

This was such a step change from JCT, where predominantly the priority with variations was to claim the costs first, and often the claim for an extension of time came much later, and it was not unusual for numerous unrelated relevant events to be compiled within one extension of time claim. Although JCT states that notices of EOT’s should be issued when a delay becomes reasonably apparent, this was often interpretated in a very loose manner with sanctions for non-compliance not set out, subject of course to contract amendments and condition precedents, hence it was not uncommon for EOT’s to be lodged significantly after the fact.

Hence, when administered correctly in the “spirit of the contract”, the NEC contract clearly demonstrated how powerful a project management tool the construction programme could be, and it highlighted how important it was to regularly review and update the completion date, giving all stakeholders visibility at an early juncture of any changes to the planned completion date, which was a significant and positive move forward for the industry. Therefore, the success of the NEC in promoting the programme was no doubt the driving force in the development of the programme into the essential powerful prolific management tool it is today.

This then leads to my second question, is the importance of the programme and the strong emphasis placed on it as a management tool a good thing for our industry?

In my experience, construction has undergone a significant transformation in the past 30 years. We are now a highly professional, well structured, systems driven industry that has embraced technology. The rise to prominence of the construction programme has been part of this process, and as we continually break through the glass ceiling of what is possible in the field of construction, with projects becoming highly complicated in their design and execution, there is no doubt that the programme has become an extremely important and essential tool in ensuring projects are delivered in a well structured, planned and efficient manner.

However, as our industry has evolved, the structure of construction companies has changed beyond recognition. Gone are the days when our large construction companies had hundreds of trades people directly employed. The majority of our Tier 1 main contractors, and in fact a majority of www.specifymagazine.co.uk

our SME main contractors, are now primarily management contractors, employing directly only the management and technical staff required to deliver a project, and sub-letting all of the delivery packages to specialist sub-contractors.

With this increase in the dominance of sub-contractors, the number of constantly changing variables within a project has also increased proportionately, hence it is essential that all deliverables are now tracked and monitored in detail with the programme, and the dependencies of each trade understood in terms of their importance and impact on the critical path. Good project and programme management will ensure the efficient use of resources, both of the main contractor and sub-contractors, and in an industry that operates on such small margins, efficient resource management is critical to the success of not just the project, but to the sustainability of all the companies involved in the delivery process. Hence, in an ideal world, a highly detailed and well executed programme is essential to the industry.

However, in my experience, there are some issues that need addressed. For example, the programme is now seen as a document that is absolutely essential when verifying an extension of time, and when a dispute arises, a claim for additional time without effectively demonstrating a relevant event’s impact on the programme will invariably fail. This has resulted in many main contractors now refusing to provide a programme to their supply chain, as they are concerned that in the event of a delay to the critical path, a programme can be used by the supply chain to prepare a claim against the main contractor for delay or acceleration. Therefore, what is now happening is that sub-contractors are given a contract with a commencement and completion date, but no details on any of the main contractor’s dependency tasks that will have an impact on the programme delivery by the subcontractor. This makes it very difficult for the sub-contractor to plan effectively to ensure the most efficient use of their resources, and making it difficult to verify any delays outside their control that is impacting the progress to their works.

The other issue with the importance of the construction programme, is that the large majority of sub-contractors, who are in

T: 07824 708012

effect the life blood of our industry, are primarily SME’s whose success and growth has been as a result of their ability to provide a high quality service at a competitive price, not necessarily as a result of their strong management capabilities. Therefore, many of our subcontractors do not have the management skills required to produce a detailed and well-resourced programme, hence when they are delayed due to factors outside their control, they have great difficulty in substantiating any claims for additional time and costs.

This is certainly an issue within our industry whereby there is a skills gap within much of our supply chain in relation to the ability to produce and manage a construction programme. This is one of the areas where my company, Incrementum, is assisting many of our clients within the supply chain by producing detailed programmes on their behalf that, in the absence of a main contractor’s programme, will list our the dependency tasks of the main contractor that will be required for the sub-contractor to deliver their contracted works effectively in line with the main contractor’s programme. We will also carry out regular reviews on site to monitor actual progress, including the dependency tasks of others, and this information will be essential in the event of a delay becoming apparent in ensuing that early warnings are issued, and this will benefit all parties by giving them the time and opportunity to try and mitigate the effects of any delay to the project. This level of due diligence can also prevent the unreasonable implementation of damages and can be essential in substantiating any claims for delay.

Our philosophy at Incrementum is that rather than having to defend our clients in disputes, we will assist them in taking the correct actions required to prevent them getting involved in disputes in the first place.

In conclusion, the construction programme is without question a very powerful and essential project management tool in today’s construction industry, however it’s success is dependent upon effective buy-in by all parties whose primary object is to work collaboratively for the benefit of the project, and not as a means to allocate time risk down the supply chain.

E: jonathan@incrementum.ltd SPECIFY I 39

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Home on the Ranger T he Ranger has been a massive success story for Ford. It’s more than capable of a hard day’s work but yet still has a stylish sophisticated air about it. The latest Ranger – the next-generation of Europe’s best-selling pickup – is the smartest, most capable, and most versatile ever.

Offering the broadest choice of models ever, the all-new Ranger introduces key new features and technologies including Ford’s powerful 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, new full-time e-4WD system, upgraded chassis and suspension, and an enhanced cargo area designed to help customers get the most from their pickup whether for work, with family or at play.

In addition, bold new exterior design, an upscale, highly-specified interior offering advanced connectivity, and sophisticated driver assistance technologies take Ranger’s car-like comfort and convenience to new heights.

Ranger models for European markets are produced in Silverton, South Africa, where the facility has recently benefitted from new investment.

Visually, the new Ranger is bold and confident, with a purposeful exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille and signature C clamp headlight treatment at the front, while bolder wheel arches are filled by a choice of alloy wheels ranging up to 20-inch that give a www.specifymagazine.co.uk

sure-footed stance. For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights.

Inside, the car like cabin features premium elements and soft touch materials, including a leather-wrapped gear shifter and heated sports-style steering wheel.

High-series variants including Ranger Wildtrak 2 offer a premium specification with a prominent portrait style 12 inch centre touchscreen controlling Ford’s latest SYNC 4A system 3 that offers voice-activated control of cloudconnected navigation and hands-free access to entertainment and communications.

Customers requested the option of more power and torque for towing heavy loads and extreme off roading, so Ford’s powerful 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel engine is now an option. The unit offers 600Nm of torque and 240PS of power to tow up to 3,500kg, driving through Ford’s intelligent 10-speed automatic gearbox and advanced new full-time e-4WD system featuring an electronically controlled torque on-demand transfer case.

The new Ranger is also available with a choice of proven Single-Turbo and BiTurbo 2.0-litre Ford EcoBlue diesel in-line, four-cylinder engines. The 170PS SingleTurbo option is available with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions and balances the power, torque and fuel economy that are all important to small business owners or

commercial vehicle fleets. The 205PS BiTurbo engine is a higher performance variant for customers who want more power but need to maintain fuel economy, and is available with a ten-speed automatic transmission.

Engineers improved Ranger’s off-road performance by moving the front wheels forward 50mm and increasing the track for a better approach angle and off-road articulation. They also shifted the rear suspension dampers outboard of the frame for a better ride both on - and off road.

New features include a tough new plasticmoulded bedliner that helps protect both the truck bed from scratches and owners from the discomfort of kneeling on a steel truck bed. Customers can also make best use of Ranger’s payload of over 1,000kg with extra cargo tie-down points mounted on strong steel tube rails that provide convenient points to secure loads.

In addition, Ranger offers a new cargo management system featuring dividers to hold various sized items – from timber to toolboxes. Owners also can create smaller compartments to store objects that would otherwise have to go in the cab, using a system of ultra-strong spring-loaded cleats that clip into rails bolted to each side of the cargo bed. The tailgate can also double as a mobile work bench with an integrated ruler and clamp pockets to measure, grip and cut building materials.

SPECIFY I 41

Gormley Motors 028 8772 2939 www.gormleymotors-isuzu.co.uk 17/25 Ballygawley Road, Dungannon, County Tyrone BT70 1TY.

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n the world of construction, efficiency and reliability are non-negotiable.

Your choice of tools and equipment can make or break a project. And when it comes to transportation, a vehicle that not only stands up to the demands of the job but also offers remarkable tax benefits is a game-changer. With the help of Gormley Motors, enter Isuzu, the brand that's driving tax-savvy construction businesses forward.

The Hidden Tax Advantage of Isuzu While the sheer power and performance of an Isuzu vehicle are well-known in the construction industry, what often remains underappreciated are the incredible tax perks that come with it. Here's a closer look at how choosing an Isuzu as a company car can give your construction business a financial edge:

Understanding LCVs for Tax Efficiency To make the most of tax benefits, it's crucial that your company car is classified as a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV). The good news is that all Isuzu single cab pickup trucks automatically fall under this classification. For those preferring other cab styles, an essential requirement is a payload of at least 1 tonne. This LCV status sets the stage for substantial tax advantages, ensuring that your Isuzu is not just a workhorse but a tax-savvy choice.

Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) Rates that Make Sense Construction company owners and employees are no strangers to 'benefits in kind' (BIK). It's the perk or fringe benefit offered by employers, often in the form of a company car. These benefits, however, come with a tax burden. But not for Isuzu owners.

Here's the kicker: Isuzu's BIK tax rate is fixed at £3,960 for the 2023/24 tax year.

This means that, unlike traditional

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Elevate your construction business with

Gormley Motors & Isuzu: The tax-savvy company car choice company cars, your annual tax isn't determined by CO2 emissions or other complex calculations. It's simply a percentage of your list price, based on your tax bracket. For instance, a 20% taxpayer pays just £792 in BIK tax (£66 per month), while a 40% taxpayer forks out £1,584 (£132 per month). It's clear and predictable, making your Isuzu an attractive choice for those looking to keep their tax liability in check. Plus add as many accessories as you like & need AT NO EXTRA BIK COST!!

Capital Allowances that Supercharge Your Profits Isuzu goes a step further by classifying LCVs as 'plant and machinery.' This classification allows you to write off the purchase cost through Capital Allowances, reducing your business tax liability.

Furthermore, you still enjoy the Annual Investment Allowance, allowing you to offset the entire Isuzu cost in the first year.

This stands in stark contrast to company cars, which depreciate at a snail's pace, with some as low as 6% annually. Isuzu's Capital Allowances offer a faster route to boosting your business's financial health.

Your purchase options can be cash/ contract hire/hire purchase/bank loan...

Just ask your accountant for their advice.

Isuzu: The Tax-Savvy Choice for Your Construction Business In the world of construction, where every penny counts and reliability is paramount, Isuzu stands tall as a brand that not only meets your rugged demands but also elevates your financial standing. The tax benefits that come with Isuzu vehicles can be a game-changer for construction companies. By choosing Isuzu as your company car, you're not just investing in a dependable workhorse but also making a savvy financial move that sets your business on the path to prosperity. Isuzu: It's more than a vehicle; it's a strategic choice for success.

VAT Refunds That Favour Your Business

Isuzu Highlights • Warranty 5 years/125K from date of registration • 5 year UK & EU Roadside Assistance • 3.5 Tonne towing capacity • NO Speed restrictions.

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Gormley Motors are here to help and offer advice. Contact Noel on 028 87722939 or emaii noel@gormleymotors.co.uk

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SPECIFY I 43

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SPECIFY I 47

PRODUCT NEWS

Keystone Group brands sustain 'Mentor Me' support for young bricklayers

K

eystone Group brands, Keystone Lintels and Keyfix, extend their support for apprentice bricklayers through the 'Mentor Me' training program for a second year, partnering with Lyons & Annoot.

The program, run by Lyons & Annoot, offers theoretical and practical learning opportunities aligned with modern

Keystone apprentices.

masonry solutions from Keyfix and Keystone Lintels. The companies actively address the industry's need for skilled workers, with Mentor Me contributing to impressive apprentice retention rates, exceeding industry standards. The program covers modern masonry techniques and features products like noncombustible cavity trays and Hi-Therm+

lintels. Apprentices benefit from webinars and hands-on experience at Keystone's Regional Centre of Excellence. Both companies provide essential tools, branded merchandise, and support for Lyons & Annoot's two-year apprenticeship program, contributing to the development of young bricklayers and improving future building standards.

Kilwaughter Minerals' dual product launch revolutionises construction

K

ilwaughter Minerals, the award-winning UK supplier of external wall insulation (EWI) solutions through its K Systems brand, is revolutionizing the construction market with two groundbreaking product launches.

The latest offering is the KIWA BDAcertified Direct Fix system, designed for both new builds and retrofitting steelframed structures. This system boasts

exceptional cost efficiency compared to cavity-based alternatives and offers a range of four stunning finishes, including A1 fire resistance options - the broadest selection in the market. This innovation follows extensive research in collaboration with customers and stakeholders, representing a significant investment in research and development. The launch of the Direct Fix system closely follows the introduction of the M VBriQ+ system, an A1 fire-resistant mineral wool solution

with a clay brick slip finish, catering to buildings of all heights. With a total of four A1 rated systems, Kilwaughter Minerals showcases a commitment to safety, compliance, and innovation in the construction industry. The Direct Fix system further offers faster installation and an array of finishes, colors, and textures, solidifying K Systems' position as an industry leader. Explore these innovations and more at www.k.sysyems.

Recticel provices ‘SOS’ PIR solution for Children in Need ‘Big Build’ project

R

ecticel Insulation played a crucial role in BBC Children in Need's 'Big Build' project by providing Eurothane® GP, their

thermally efficient PIR board, for a children's counselling and therapy center within the Treetops Hospice in Risley, Derbyshire.

48 I SPECIFY

The DIY SOS team, completing the project in just nine days, aimed to construct a bespoke center for traumatically bereaved children. Eurothane® GP panels were chosen by specialist manufacturer Lowfield Timber Frames for the timberframed walls due to their rapid installation and excellent thermal performance. With 72 panels used, the prefabricated, pre-

insulated delivery enabled the walls to be erected in just three days, surpassing the schedule. The fabric build-up achieved an impressive U-value of 0.15W/m2K, contributing to the creation of a comfortable and supportive environment for hundreds of bereaved children, aligning with Recticel's commitment to impactful projects and innovation. www.specifymagazine.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Biopax Ltd announces another major investment to service the green packaging market

B

iopax Ltd, headquartered in west Belfast, announces a groundbreaking multimillionpound investment to bolster the green packaging market.

The fast-growing sustainable packaging and labels company is set to unveil a state-of-the-art rotary flexographic paper wraps printing and packing machine, revolutionizing on-the-go deli and quickserve restaurant solutions in the UK and Ireland. This strategic move aims to address the heavy reliance on imported paper-wrapped food products, boosting domestic supply by over 500 million units annually.

With a consistent 25% annual growth rate in on-the-go, pharmaceutical, and quickservice restaurant products, Biopax is committed to advancing plastic-free, recyclable, and compostable fibre-based packaging.

The new production line, featuring advanced auto-camera color management and registration detection systems, ensures consistent quality.

Additionally, Biopax expands its product range to meet the rising demand for tamper-evident paper bags and explores PE-free solutions for the paper cup industry, contributing to enhanced

circularity in the fast-growing category.

This comprehensive investment aligns with Biopax's dedication to sustainability, innovation, and meeting evolving market needs.

Zentia take home Made in Britain Award NI Business Awards

Z

entia, a leading provider of complete ceiling solutions in the UK, has been honored with the Grand Final Winner title at the Made in Britain Awards 2023, a prestigious category within the North East Business Awards.

Following their victory in the Northumberland and Tyneside heat, www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Zentia competed against other subregional heat winners to secure the overall Made in Britain award. The Grand Final, held at Hardwick Hall on September 26, 2023, saw Zentia triumph as champions in the category. The Made in Britain award recognizes businesses actively promoting manufacturing and production in the UK. Zentia, headquartered in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, stands out as the country's sole

manufacturer of complete ceiling solutions. With a focus on UK manufacturing, technical expertise, short supply chains, and reliable deliveries, Zentia exemplifies dedication to the Made in Britain ethos. Dirk Jaspers, Managing Director at Zentia, expressed pride in the company's achievements and emphasized their commitment to continuous improvement and impactful partnerships.

SPECIFY I 49

SPECIFY talks to...

Sean Mullen:

Contracts Director at QMAC Construction Ltd Did you plan to get involved in the construction industry?

From a young age I had a problemsolving methodical mindset. I knew a career that involved a mixture of officebased work as well as site-based work would suit me.

How did you start off?

I did a BSc (Hons) in Building at what is now Ulster University. On graduation, I progressed through roles including Planning Engineer, Site Manager, Contracts Manager, to the position I currently hold, which is Contracts Director at QMAC Construction Ltd. During the earlier stages of my career, I worked for companies including Higgs & Hill (London) McNamara (Dublin) as well as with Mivan, working throughout Europe and America.

What has been the highlighted of you career to date?

Working for Mivan was memorable; during my time there I was Project Manager on prestigious fit-out contracts for large cruise ships. For example, the two new-build contracts with Disney in Italy involved the fit-out of the internal themed areas as well as the bars, restaurants, and pool areas on the outer decks. Other refurbishment contracts involved boarding a cruise ship in Southampton and managing a fast-track refurbishment project in part of the ship while it was sailing to dry dock in the US. In recent years I have been involved in many rewarding projects in my role at QMAC Construction. Many of the projects create a lasting impact in local communities. The £2.3m restoration of The Workhouse in Enniskillen is an 50 I SPECIFY

example. It is a Grade B2 listed Victorian building that had become an eyesore and a safety hazard for any potential trespasser since it became vacant. From being awarded the restoration contract by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, we had 18 months to transform it. As result of working with experienced consultants, supply chain members, and colleagues including management staff and skilled tradespeople, the building has been repurposed as a heritage centre and business enterprise hub. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing old buildings be transformed and repurposed. The restoration of St. Patrick’s Church in Donaghmore as well as the restoration of St. Jospeh’s Monastery in Dundalk also spring to mind when I think back on recent projects. Just this autumn I oversaw the handover of the refurbished and extended New Gate Arts & Culture Centre in the Fountain area of L’Derry. The new facility became a focal point for Halloween activities in the city.

Contributing to the success of such projects and seeing local people in communities enjoy new facilities provides great satisfaction.

What was the best piece of advice you have been given?

From working with and watching successful business leaders in construction companies, I have learned that it is so important to delegate. There are lots of roles and specialisms within the construction industry; to try and be an expert in every area would be virtually impossible. I ensure I have people well qualified and experienced as part of my team. I have also learned to give them space to carry out their role.

What would you say to any student considering a career in construction?

For any student, I would tell them to be mindful in selecting a career. The construction industry is an exciting career option but different to the usual whitecollar careers typically promoted by schools. If someone wants a fast-paced career which involves thinking on your feet, using communication skills including presenting, talking, and negotiating, is open to travel, and enjoys problemsolving, then the construction industry is a great choice. Two big challenges that companies in the industry are addressing are how to become net zero, and how to embrace digital communication. There are plenty of opportunities for students, apprentices, and graduates for anyone who wants to get involved.

Do you think the construction industry needs more support from Stormont?

The answer to this is simple. The UK is set up based on having devolved government in each of the regions. Earlier this year I was directly involved in overseeing the compilation of a tender for a school refurbishment project outside Belfast.

Despite being the preferred bidder, the project was ‘paused’ due to a lack of available funding. It is still ‘on pause’. If there had been a stable local government, this would not have happened.

What needs to be done to help the construction industry?

The answer to this lies again with having a local government. Private sector growth and foreign direct investment are heavily dependent on having political stability.

Without it, too many contractors are chasing too few public sector construction projects.

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

BEAM: Providing Homes & Businesses with Clean Indoor Air for Over 45 Years

S

ince 1977, BEAM have designed and installed 75,000+ bespoke central vacuum, mechanical ventilation, and dust & fume extraction solutions in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings throughout Ireland & UK. BEAM are passionate about providing clean, healthy indoor air to both homes and businesses and are proud to offer innovative, high-quality products which help improve indoor air quality. BEAM’s Sarah-Michelle Wallace comments: “As we’re spending more time indoors than ever before, clean indoor air in the home or workplace is essential for our health and wellbeing.”

BEAM Central Vacuum System A Beam Central Vacuum System is the perfect cleaning solution for any modern home or business – from an apartment to a commercial building to a 300bedroom hotel.

The high-powered built-in vacuum system removes 100% of all dust, dirt, and animal dander. As the vacuum unit is located away from the point of cleaning (usually in a garage or utility cupboard) none of the dirt or dust is recirculated back into habitable rooms.

Mechanical Ventilation New homes and properties are now being built to be as airtight as possible and many existing buildings are being insulated to achieve greater energy efficiency and improve airtightness. This increased airtightness can result in poor indoor air quality due to inadequate ventilation, which can lead to condensation, mould, and respiratory conditions.

BEAM’s award-winning range of Mechanical Ventilation systems constantly supply fresh, filtered air into homes and commercial buildings to improve indoor air quality. Their range of ventilation systems include, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) and more. Aside from improving indoor air quality, other benefits include: • Eliminating condensation & mould.

• Reducing symptoms of asthma & allergies.

• Adding to the energy efficiency of the building.

+44 (0)28 7963 2424 info@beamcentralsystems.com www.beamcentralsystems.com

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Dust & Fume Extraction It is important to provide a healthy and clean work environment within any industry, but particularly where harmful dust and fumes are created. BEAM’s industrial team specialise in designing, installing, and testing bespoke dust and fume extraction systems to ensure clean air and a safer work environment.

BEAM’s Industrial Manager, Mark Kelly states: “COSHH regulations require workplaces to provide safe removal of dust and fumes to ensure the health and safety of employees. Our systems remove hazardous substances at the source, creating a safe and comfortable work environment.”

Other benefits to businesses and staff include: • Centralised collection point for dust & dirt.

• Bespoke solutions for specialised applications.

• Cost savings.

A Beam Central Vacuum system is ideal to install alongside a BEAM Mechanical Ventilation System to ensure clean indoor air, even after vacuuming. Other benefits include: • Improves indoor air quality by up to 52%.

• Clinically proven to provide measurable relief for asthma & allergy sufferers.

• Up to 50% more suction than portable vacuums.

Project Advice & Specification Available From first contact, through to installation and after sales support, BEAM’s trained, qualified, and experienced staff and distributors will advise, specify, and provide a bespoke technical design of the correct and most energy efficient vacuum, ventilation, or dust & fume extraction system to suit your needs and budget.

Contact BEAM for more information, expert advice or to arrange a quotation.

E: info@beamcentralsystems.com T: +44 (0)28 7963 2424

Providing Clean Indoor Air For Homes & Businesses Central Vacuum | Mechanical Ventilation Dust & Fume Extraction

SPECIFY I 51

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