Back in June we wrote a news article about this years UK Construction week, held in Birmingham from 10-12th October.
It is free to attend for trade visitors and consists of 9 shows: Build Show, Timber Expo, Civils Expo, Plant & Machinery Live, Energy 2017, Smart Buildings 2017, Surface & Materials Show (featuring Kitchens & Bathrooms Live), HVAC 2017 and Grand Designs Live.
The main stage speakers and seminars include welcomes and introductions from George Clark (Restoration Man), Steph McGovern (BBC Breakfast Business Presenter) and Tom Dyckhoff (broadcaster and historian on architecture, design and cities)
Offsite Construction will be a major theme this year. The industry has embraced the latest technologies that have enabled us to build quicker, more efficiently and at a quality not achievable before. One of the main aims of the event is to showcase innovation in the industry, and to that end the Innovation Trail will show visitors the latest products which are paving a new way of building that hasn’t been seen before.
There will also be some new, specialist awards granted which include Low Carbon Vehicles Awards, BIM Awards, Offsite Awards and the WAN Transport, Concrete in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse Awards. The UK’s best companies in the industry will also be recognised at the Construction Enquirer Awards on the opening night of the show.
Evening entertainment will include a casino night, dodgeball tournament and the popular Beer and Ale festival. The Beer Festival was a big hit with exhibitors and clients in 2016. With over 30 beers on offer and a selection of hot food available, live music and entertainment this area will be the perfect way to unwind after a busy day and a chance to network with clients and colleagues.
The Beer festival will be at full capacity both nights and open all day and promises to be the centre of festivities.
Since our last update, more information about the exhibitors have been announced:
Construction week will be the first public showing of Tufeco Modular Home.UK A perfect blend of companies have brought together a step change in large scale production eco development builds. Recycled glass composite build experts Tufeco have joined renowned Architects Grimshaw, SAM Architects and the Carbon Free Group to provide a truly unique solution. Set in beautiful man made woodland clusters and using all of the shared knowledge base and technology, the partnership delivers and builds digitally printed, flat-pack passive / power plus homes at a price point that competes head to head with the mainstream developers.
TRADA’s latest book, Cross-laminated timber: Design and performance, will be available on Stand 250 at Timber Expo from 10th to 12th October.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction is increasingly being used for residential, commercial and public sector buildings. Offering a significant strength to weight ratio, improved installation speeds, reduced on-site waste and a high standard of airtightness, CLT also has the advantage of being a renewable resource.
The Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) will be hosting the Offsite Area at this year’s Build Show (part of the wider Construction Week).
New for this year, The Offsite Area will be the key hub for all things Offsite & Modular. Central to the Offsite Area will be the Offsite Theatre, which will feature an array of fantastic and influential speakers discussing everything Offsite, Modular and Volumetric.
The conference programme will run for the full 3 days with a number of different topics being discussed throughout. The content will be geared around the impact of Volumetric in Education, Residential and Healthcare. High quality educational presentations will be delivered on subjects such as Offsite Specification and training and skills shortages within the industry, many of the presentations will be CPD accredited to help you collect the hours!
In a unique communications partnership, the Chartered Institute of Building and ITN Productions are producing a news and current affairs-style programme which explores the opportunities, challenges and future of the UK construction industry.
‘Remastering the Future’ will bring to life the UK’s construction industry by looking at the knowledge, technology and skills driving the sector forward. The programme will explore the innovations that are taking the sector to a new level as well as the training and apprenticeships that are bringing new recruits to the construction landscapes. ‘Remastering the Future’ will also look at preserving old buildings and adapting them for future use, at a time when land is scarce and there are demands for building stock to be retained, we will look at how the construction industry has to respond with quality and ethical standards.
Tickets are still available! Go here to get yours
Broadsword and ORBiS Tech
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News, Projects /by joannevickersWorks are progressing well on our full office fit out for ORBiS Tech, who develop uniquely scalable software solutions for the hospitality, fuel and retail markets.
Broadsword Projects LTD are undertaking the full scope of works from design to completion.
Works undertaken will be:
Full design and specification
Artwork manifestation and graphics
Glazed & solid demountable partitions
Joinery including tea point/full height doors/breakfast bars
Artwork manifestation and graphics
Flooring including carpet & vinyl
Suspended ceilings
Fire alarm relocations
Furniture
Data & AV
Decorations
We look forward to bringing you more pictures as the project moves towards completion.
15 million homes could be powered by green gas by 2050
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickersBiogas produce from domestic waste could generate enough power to fuel 15mn homes by 2050, according to a new report by UK gas distribution firm Cadent.
This would be enough energy to cover households across the south east of England, London, and East Anglia, and the most effective way of managing the large amounts of waste produced in the UK.
Biogas could grow significantly in the next 30 years, allowing black domestic bag rubbish, agricultural waste, energy crops, food waste, and sewage to generate 183TWh of biomethane.
Two-thirds of renewable gas could be sourced from energy crops and agricultural residues, with the remaining third coming from waste. Of that third, 83% would be produced by Bio-Substitute Natural Gas (BioSNG) and 17% would derive from biomethane, generated by anaerobic digestion.
BioSNG production is a thermochemical process that utilises gasification and the methanation of the produced “syngas”. It can be transported through existing natural gas networks to be used in domestic, commercial and industrial heating and CHP applications.
“The findings of this report show that with the right policies in place renewable gas could play a significant role in helping the UK meet its carbon reduction targets, particularly in heat and transport, which are lagging behind electricity,” commented Cadent Director of Network Strategy, David Parkin.
“Alongside other green energy solutions, renewable gas offers us an affordable, sustainable route to heat our homes and fuel transport, while tackling climate change, and contributing towards more sustainable waste management and cleaner air.”
In November of last year Ecotricity – the UKs greenest energy company claimed that by 2035, almost all homes in Britain could be heated by the green gas from grass – creating an industry worth £7.5 billion annually for the economy.
They received planning permission to build a prototype of the first-of-a-kind green gas mill at Sparsholt College in Hampshire.
Their report also stated that the green gas production will be “virtually carbon neutral” and could play a significant role in Britain meeting its climate targets.
Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said: “As North Sea reserves run out, the big question is where we’re going to get our gas from next. The government thinks fracking is the answer, but this new report shows there is a better option.
“Recently, it’s become possible to make green gas and put it into the grid, in the same way we’ve been doing with green electricity for the last two decades. The current way of doing that is through energy crops and food waste – but both have their drawbacks.
“Our first green gas mill has just been given the go-ahead, and we hope to build it soon – though that does depend on whether government energy policy will support this simple, benign and abundant energy source. I call on Theresa May to review the government’s plan for where Britain gets its gas – post-North Sea.”
Green energy is electricity and gas made from renewable sources, green electricity from the wind, sun and sea, and green gas made from organic materials and is completely carbon neutral. In 2013 there was just one green gas plant in the UK. Now there are over 60 projects using anaerobic digestion to make biomethane useful to us.
Green gas is incredibly versatile, used as a source of electricity, a replacement to petrol, and a new way to heat homes. Using greener gas means “It’s not disruptive in terms of the roads and our urban environments,” says Chris Train OBE, chief executive of National Grid Gas Distribution Limited. “It’s also not disruptive in the home, for customers. It allows us to use existing appliances. That’s a great advantage.”
Sources – Energy digital / Utility Week / Ecotricity
Armstong Ceiling Tiles
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickersFollowing on from our recent social media post about using the above tiles, we are going to provide more information on the materials that we used.
The tile used on this particular office refit job for Hackwood homes were Armstrong Puretone Regular ceiling tiles in a 24mm grid system.
Armstrong provide ceilings for commercial spaces and the home and are a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions.
Their ceilings have acoustical properties and that means they can help control sound and noise within a room and room to room. They have ceilings that also address fire and seismic concerns too.
They offer 25 mineral ceiling solutions in grid sizes 15mm 24mm and 24/35mm with varying levels of acoustics. There are ceiling panels, canopies, vertical baffles and open cell & mesh.
They offer the broadest range of textures, sizes and shapes, with key performance features to enhance the design of any space. Mineral ceilings provide solutions for every acoustical need from high sound absorption to high sound attenuation or a balance of both.
Have a browse of their website here:
https://www.armstrongceilings.com
New home permissions hit the highest on record
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickersAccording to the latest Housing Pipeline report from the Home Builders Federation, the number of planning permissions granted in the year to June 2017 is the highest seen since 2006.
Permission for 321,982 new homes was granted during the 12 month period, up form 278,652 the previous year. However, the data also indicated that there has been a “slight cooling” in residential development in the second quarter of the year, with the number homes approved falling 14% from the first quarter yet the figure is still up 13% on the year before.
Demand for the help to buy scheme is continuing to boost numbers. More than 200,000 people live in new build homes thanks to help to buy. However, with the scheme supposedly coming to an end in 2021, house builders are seeking assurances as to if it will continue past this date to determine investment decisions.
Stewart Baseley, HBF’s executive chairman, was positive about the impact of the help to buy scheme. He said that ‘the help to buy scheme hasn’t just helped 200,000 people buy a home, it has helped them to build a new home which is, in turn, boosting supply and generating huge benefits for communities, councils and the Exchequer.
‘Ultimately if people can buy, builders can build and confidence in demand is crucial to future build rates. The figures show that if demand for new homes remains strong and the planning system processes applications efficiently, further increased in build rates can be delivered in the coming years.’
However, the planning system itself is still laborious, meaning that it could take 3-4 years for most of these to reach completion. Whilst housing supply is up 52% in the past three years there are still not enough homes to adequately cater for our population and the planning system remains one of the major constraints on supply. Speeding up the rate at which builders get onto sites, and ensuring Local Authorities abide by their responsibilities and allocate sites that meet their local housing needs are key requirements if the house building industry is to deliver much needed housing.
Baseley also stated that ‘These record planning permission figures are a clear indication that house builders are committed to increasing housing output. We’ve seen 50% growth in output over the last three years and these figures indicate that progress can continue. We need to see confirmation from government as to the future of the very successful Help to Buy scheme post 2021. We also need to see the proposals to improve the planning system outlined in the White Paper moved forward and implemented.’
We are FIRAS registered
/0 Comments/in Accreditation, News /by joannevickersAs part of our ongoing expansion, and to offer as many services as possible, we have recently become FIRAS registered.
As a requirement of the FIRAS Schemes, certificated companies are required to employ, on a permanent or contract basis, competent Supervisors and Technicians (Operators) whose technical and practical competence is assessed by FIRAS Inspectors in the trade disciplines for which certification scope is held. A register of competent employees is maintained for each certificated company, which is regularly reviewed to ensure that the company maintains a competent workforce whose abilities remain current with the workscope the company provides.
Once certificated, all FIRAS Registered Installer Companies are subject to ongoing random inspection of their installation work on ongoing contracts along with an annual audit of their office systems by FIRAS Inspectors to ensure that compliance with FIRAS Scheme Requirements is maintained.
FIRAS are a voluntary, third party certification for installation contractors of both passive and active fire protection systems, operated by Warrington Certification, and accredited by UKAS to EN45011.
FIRAS certification started in 1994 and has been instrumental in improving standards of installation of fire protection products/systems to the benefit of the construction industry and the clients it serves.
Why choose a FIRAS certificated installation contractor?
FIRAS certificated contractors are required to undergo a 3 stage assessment process. Only when the applicant contractor has satisfied all of the following criteria is certification granted:
• Assessment of office management systems.
• Assessment of workmanship of site for all trade disciplines for which certification is sought.
• Competence assessment of supervisory and installation employees.
If the job is not installed to Firas standards by the sub contractor (MGN Fire Protection), then FIRAS cannot issue certification until the works are up to the above criteria.
FIRAS certification is awarded to the contracting company not the staff. Should a contractor wish to increase their scope of certification, a separate application must be made to attain the additional certification.
All FIRAS site inspectors have technical and practical knowledge and experience in fire protection.
FIRAS certificated contractors are subject to an annual audit of their offices and ongoing, random surveillance site inspections where competence and workmanship are assessed.
FIRAS inspectors conduct additional inspections of the work carried out by the certificated contractor on request to satisfy client’s needs.
We at present can offer penetration sealing services – techniques that will minimise the effect a fire has on the fabric of a building.
This must look at dividing a building into compartments that can be closed to stop the spread of fire – this is known as compartmentation. Confining a fire to its point of origin is the key objective of any fire safety measure..
Compartments with fire-separating elements, on the other hand, can confine a fire to its area of origin so it is essential to maintain integrity where services breach fire resting walls in such areas as:-
• multi-service openings through walls and floors
• blank service openings through walls and floors
• combustible pipes (plastics)
• cavity barriers
• construction joints
• any imperfection of fit to a fire-rated building element
Proprietary penetration seal/service opening fire protection systems include boards, batts, mortars, sealants, collars, wraps, pillows, curtains and linear joints. Penetration seal systems are available for up to 4 hours integrity and, in some cases, insulation against a cellulosic fire, in accordance with national and European standards. Products are also available to protect against hydrocarbon fires.
•Source FIRAS / EAPFP
New Solar roof tiles to be launched
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickersSolecco Solar are getting ready to launch their new solar roof tile solution at UK Construction Week this month, as well as their new website www.soleccosolar.com
The new, innovative technology company supplies and installs unique, sustainable solar roof tiles for developers and homeowners with aesthetics and renewable energy at the top of their design agenda.
The roofing tiles attract energy even when its cloudy, reducing annual operational bills significantly. They are also an excellent architectural consideration. The tiles combine minimalistic, sleek aesthetics with outstanding performance.
The solution is integrated into roofing via a unique interlocking method, with tiles fitting seamlessly on up to 98% of roof surface area. The zero-glass system has a low carbon footprint and is an eco-asset which drives energy efficiency and protects against rising electricity costs.
As well as exhibiting and launching the brand at Construction Week UK’s Energy 2017, Solecco Solar is showcasing at London Build 2017 on 25 – 26 October. Solecco is also shortlisted for Product of the Year Award at both the London Construction Awards and National Energy Efficiency Awards 2017.
James Birch, Development Director said: “The exhibition is the ideal opportunity for us to showcase Solecco Solar Tiles to a diverse audience of industry professionals. The event connects us to potential customers who are, in the current construction climate, actively seeking an aesthetic and renewable energy solution to enhance their sustainable approach to development.”
UK August construction projects increased by 20%
/0 Comments/in News /by joannevickersThe value of new contracts awarded reached 5.8 billion based on a 3 month moving average, resulting in a 7% increase on the month and the highest recorded figure since March of this year.
The figures have been published in the latest addition of the Economic and Construction market review from Barbour ABI, and have come as a welcome boost for the industry in what is normally a slow month.
Residential construction performed strongly – bringing in 2.7 billion in the month. This helped the overall monthly construction figure gain a 20% increase on the month, up 15% from August 2016.
Commercial and retail building reached 785 million in August, a monthly increase of 47%.
London gained 20% of the UKs construction contract value, followed by the North West with 14%.
The number of construction projects awarded in August increased by 19.7% compared to July, and the value of residential projects in August was 2.7 billion, a year increase of 55.2%.
Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, Lead Economist at Barbour ABI said “The construction sector can once again be thankful for the strong showing of the residential sector, which provided £1.8 billion more than any other sector in August, along with an increase of 55 per cent compared with August 2016.”
“It is encouraging to see the number of projects increasing steadily, particularly the larger projects from the commercial and retail sector. However a lack of investment in infrastructure across August and for the most part of 2017 is not encouraging, as we haven’t seen many major projects come to fruition, especially after it was highlighted as a Government priority earlier in the year.”
Uk Construction week coming next month
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickersBack in June we wrote a news article about this years UK Construction week, held in Birmingham from 10-12th October.
It is free to attend for trade visitors and consists of 9 shows: Build Show, Timber Expo, Civils Expo, Plant & Machinery Live, Energy 2017, Smart Buildings 2017, Surface & Materials Show (featuring Kitchens & Bathrooms Live), HVAC 2017 and Grand Designs Live.
The main stage speakers and seminars include welcomes and introductions from George Clark (Restoration Man), Steph McGovern (BBC Breakfast Business Presenter) and Tom Dyckhoff (broadcaster and historian on architecture, design and cities)
Offsite Construction will be a major theme this year. The industry has embraced the latest technologies that have enabled us to build quicker, more efficiently and at a quality not achievable before. One of the main aims of the event is to showcase innovation in the industry, and to that end the Innovation Trail will show visitors the latest products which are paving a new way of building that hasn’t been seen before.
There will also be some new, specialist awards granted which include Low Carbon Vehicles Awards, BIM Awards, Offsite Awards and the WAN Transport, Concrete in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse Awards. The UK’s best companies in the industry will also be recognised at the Construction Enquirer Awards on the opening night of the show.
Evening entertainment will include a casino night, dodgeball tournament and the popular Beer and Ale festival. The Beer Festival was a big hit with exhibitors and clients in 2016. With over 30 beers on offer and a selection of hot food available, live music and entertainment this area will be the perfect way to unwind after a busy day and a chance to network with clients and colleagues.
The Beer festival will be at full capacity both nights and open all day and promises to be the centre of festivities.
Since our last update, more information about the exhibitors have been announced:
Construction week will be the first public showing of Tufeco Modular Home.UK A perfect blend of companies have brought together a step change in large scale production eco development builds. Recycled glass composite build experts Tufeco have joined renowned Architects Grimshaw, SAM Architects and the Carbon Free Group to provide a truly unique solution. Set in beautiful man made woodland clusters and using all of the shared knowledge base and technology, the partnership delivers and builds digitally printed, flat-pack passive / power plus homes at a price point that competes head to head with the mainstream developers.
TRADA’s latest book, Cross-laminated timber: Design and performance, will be available on Stand 250 at Timber Expo from 10th to 12th October.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction is increasingly being used for residential, commercial and public sector buildings. Offering a significant strength to weight ratio, improved installation speeds, reduced on-site waste and a high standard of airtightness, CLT also has the advantage of being a renewable resource.
The Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) will be hosting the Offsite Area at this year’s Build Show (part of the wider Construction Week).
New for this year, The Offsite Area will be the key hub for all things Offsite & Modular. Central to the Offsite Area will be the Offsite Theatre, which will feature an array of fantastic and influential speakers discussing everything Offsite, Modular and Volumetric.
The conference programme will run for the full 3 days with a number of different topics being discussed throughout. The content will be geared around the impact of Volumetric in Education, Residential and Healthcare. High quality educational presentations will be delivered on subjects such as Offsite Specification and training and skills shortages within the industry, many of the presentations will be CPD accredited to help you collect the hours!
In a unique communications partnership, the Chartered Institute of Building and ITN Productions are producing a news and current affairs-style programme which explores the opportunities, challenges and future of the UK construction industry.
‘Remastering the Future’ will bring to life the UK’s construction industry by looking at the knowledge, technology and skills driving the sector forward. The programme will explore the innovations that are taking the sector to a new level as well as the training and apprenticeships that are bringing new recruits to the construction landscapes. ‘Remastering the Future’ will also look at preserving old buildings and adapting them for future use, at a time when land is scarce and there are demands for building stock to be retained, we will look at how the construction industry has to respond with quality and ethical standards.
Tickets are still available! Go here to get yours
Glass blocks could soon see buildings generating their own power
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickersAccording to the energy harvesting journal, renewable energy experts from the University of Exeter are developing a pioneering new technique using glass blocks that could accelerate the widespread introduction of net-zero energy buildings through the latest Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
Simply put, they have created an innovative glass block that can be incorporated into a building and by turning the suns energy into electricity without the use of solar panels, can generate electricity.
It is thought that buildings consume more than forty percent of the electricity produced across the globe. This new technology would allow electricity to be produced at the site of use, whilst being seamlessly integrated into the building.
The blocks, called Solar Squared, are designed to fit seamlessly into either new buildings, or as part of renovations in existing properties. They are similar to existing glass blocks by allowing daylight to resonate around a property by replacing traditional bricks and mortar with transparent glass bricks. Crucially, however, the Solar Squared blocks have intelligent optics that focus the incoming solar radiation onto small solar cells, enhancing the overall energy generated by each solar cell. The electricity generated will then be available to power the building, be stored or used to charge electric vehicles.
Dr Hasan Baig, founder of Build Solar and Research Fellow from the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute said: “BIPV is a growing industry with a 16% annual growth rate. Setting up a company, which can cater to this growing market shall prove beneficial for the UK economy in the long term.We are aiming to build integrated, affordable, efficient and attractive solar technologies, which have the smallest impact on the local landscape. It’s an exciting venture and one that should capture the imagination of the construction industry, when looking to develop new office blocks and public buildings or infrastructure projects such as train stations and carparks,” said Professor Tapas Mallick, chief scientific advisor for Build Solar.
They hope that the blocks will be cheaper than conventional glass blocks, and can be easily used in conjunction with traditional building materials.
According to Solar Squared, they aim to build integrated, affordable, efficient, and attractive solar technologies as part of the building’s architecture, in places where energy demand is highest, whilst having minimal impact on the landscape and on quality of life. They are at present actively seeking sites to demonstrate their technology.
To read more about solar squared please go here
Source: Energy Harvesting Journal
Storing credentials in your helmet!
/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickersA Croydon civil engineering contractor have developed a pioneering new hard hat which contains their qualifications and credentials.
Scanning the QR (quick response) code with a smart phone gives access to personnel files with proof of identity, training history, medical details and emergency next-of-kin contract details.
Civil engineering and utilities specialist Blu-3 (UK) believes that the quick response (QR) code-based identification system, developed with Olive Media, improves site safety.
Access to data is restricted to those who have downloaded the bespoke Blu-3 app, but those with the app can access a company-wide database of employees and subcontractors.
Sarah Persad of Blu-3, who has led the development of the system, said: “This really is a breakthrough solution for ensuring staff are appropriately trained and certified for the roles they carry out on a site. Previously, if an employee was observed carrying out hot works one day and then driving a forward tipping dumper the following, the observer (potentially a client or site manager) could only assume that he or she had the appropriate training for both roles. They can now simply scan the worker’s hat and check that the appropriate training and accreditations are in place, resulting in real time, quick and easy competence checks.”
She added: “The beauty of the system is that the complete training record of a worker is held alongside their medical and emergency contact details, which is in full compliance with current data protection requirements. This system enables us to ensure that our ‘boots on the ground’ are competent to do the task and we know exactly who is on site, which is particularly critical in today’s security conscious environment.”
Preconstruction director Lee Lawrence added: “The training identification system stores records of an employee’s training history from CSCS and First Aider to Asbestos Awareness, Confined Space Training and PPE Awareness.
“We are continuing to develop the system adding more capability to support managers and supervisors on site and will be rolling the app out across its sites in the UK and Europe. We’re excited by the potential of the technology and know that it increases a contractor’s ability to manage its workers and maximise its health and safety awareness – a key must for all responsible companies.”
Source: The Construction Index