Burntwood School by AHMM Architects, image credit: Rob Parrish Burntwood School, a large comprehensive girls’ school in Wandsworth, London by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2015 for the UK’s best new building. Now in its 20th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize, sponsored by
Twenty retail brands have taken new stores in Leeds so far this year, with a distinct bias towards ‘aspirational’ brands, according to analysis by Savills. Retailers including Zara Home, Samsung, Oliver Bonas and Snow & Rock have all taken new units in the city in 2016, taking the total number
Installer offers free servicing for charity Published: 02 June, 2016 Leeds-based heating installer Allen Hart, owner of CCH Leeds, offers free boiler servicing and installations to customers in return for a donation to his chosen charity, The Candlelighters Trust. The Trust donates hundreds of thousands of pounts to research into
You think it’s a good idea to label legal correspondence ‘without prejudice’…? Well think again, warns Christopher Coveney, a solicitor with Thomas Eggar LLP. Above: Christopher Coveney is a solicitor at Thomas Eggar LLP The effect of marking correspondence ‘without prejudice’ is widely misunderstood, even by those within the legal
The story of how two electrical specialists teamed up and succeeded in the Middle East following the global oil price crash ~ During times of economic uncertainty, it is often prudent for business leaders to diversify their companies’ products, services and markets to mitigate their risk exposure. In the
This year’s CIBSE Building Performance Awards has seen three organisations as double winners during its results night at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. The focus of the awards is on the delivered performance outcomes achieved by buildings and projects. The Coveted Building Performance Champion title went to the University of
Salix Homes has announced a development proposal to modernise the eight-storey building on Canon Green Drive in Salford. The housing association is planning to renovate it and create modern, attractive, and energy efficient homes that are suitable in the long run. The 1960s building dominates the Salford skyline with its
Crosslane Student Developments, part of the Crosslane Group, is pleased to announce that it has secured planning consent to deliver a 207-bed purpose-built student accommodation development scheme in Dublin. The project will be Crosslane’s first student development in the city and in the Republic of Ireland. Completion of the scheme
With just a few months to go until the arrival of the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, Bureau Veritas is calling on construction industry to embrace the changes brought by the new Part 8 section – stating it is an important step forward in the UK’s green agenda.
The UK Concrete Show 2018 welcomes B&B Attachments Ltd and its BlockMaster K320, FMK150, and Power Mount Quick Release System at the specialist concrete event. The attachments will be on display at stand G12 from the 21st until the 22nd of March 2018 at the NEC in Birmingham. The UK
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Burntwood School by AHMM Architects, image credit: Rob Parrish Burntwood School, a large comprehensive girls’ school in Wandsworth, London by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2015 for the UK’s best new building. Now in its 20th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize, sponsored by Almacantar, is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize. The presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize trophy to architects AHMM took place at a special ceremony this evening (Thursday 15 October) at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. AHMM’s transformation of Burntwood School reimagines a 1950’s modernist secondary school campus for 2000 girls and 200 staff. The architects created six new faculty buildings and two large cultural buildings linking original buildings by renowned 1950s/1960s architect Sir Leslie Martin. Every building is full of light and air with double height spaces at the end of each corridor to increase natural daylight and create well-framed views. It offers a range of teaching spaces from conventional classrooms to interactive open spaces. Already a very sculptural building, AHMM worked closely with an artist to use large, colourful murals throughout the buildings – cleverly combining signposting with modern art. Comments from the judges: “Burntwood School is the clear winner of the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize. It is the most accomplished of the six shortlisted buildings because it demonstrates the full range of the skills that architects can offer to society. It encompasses great contemporary design and clever reuse of existing buildings as well as superb integration of artwork, landscaping and engineering. It is a genuine collaborative project. There was a wonderful working relationship between the head teacher and the architect: a true partnership of equals. Burntwood is technically sophisticated in its use of prefabrication, its low-energy strategy and the minimal disruption to teachers and pupils during construction. It even has its own high street with a covered walkway formed from off-the-peg bus-shelters. Furthermore, the sculptural quality of the finely modelled concrete facades and the lush campus setting enhance the sense of the place. Burntwood sets a standard in school design that every child in Britain deserves. It is a culmination of many years of creative toil by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris in designing schools up and down the country. This is their masterpiece.” This is the first time AHMM has won the RIBA Stirling Prize. They have been shortlisted three times for previous projects: Westminster Academy (2008), Kentish Town Health Centre (2009) and for the Angel Building, London (2011). Speaking tonight, RIBA President Jane Duncan said: “Burntwood School shows us how superb school design can be at the heart of raising our children’s educational enjoyment and achievement. Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, experienced school architects, have created a stunning campus. They have produced delightful, resourceful and energy efficient buildings that will benefit the whole community in the long term. With the UK facing a huge shortage of school places, it is vital we learn lessons from Burntwood. I am delighted to present architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris with the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize.” Paul Monaghan, Director, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris said: “Schools can and should be more than just practical, functional buildings – they need to elevate the aspirations of children, teachers and the wider community. Good school design makes a difference to the way students value themselves and their education, and we hope that Burntwood winning the RIBA Stirling Prize shows that this is worth investing in.” Helen Dorfman, Principal, Burntwood School said: “The whole Burntwood School Community is delighted and proud that the scheme has been recognised as being worthy of the Stirling Prize. The Burntwood scheme is a testament to the power of strong, collaborative partnerships. These effective partnerships between the school, AHMM, Wandsworth Council and the contractor, Lend Lease, were sustained throughout the whole process from procurement to completion. AHMM were particularly generous with their time and commitment to fully involving myself and other school representatives. Staff and students have said on many occasions that the new buildings have greatly improved the quality of their day to day experiences at the school and students comment that their commitment to learning has been enhanced.” Burntwood School was chosen by the judges today from the following outstanding shortlisted entries: Darbishire Place, Peabody Housing, London by Niall McLaughlin Architects Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre, Lanarkshire by Reiach and Hall Architects NEO Bankside housing, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners University of Greenwich Stockwell Street Building, London by Heneghan Peng architects The Whitworth, University of Manchester by MUMA The 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize judges are: Jane Duncan, Chair and RIBA President; Peter Clegg, architect; Steve Tompkins architect and winner of the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize; Dame Theresa Sackler, arts philanthropist and Rory Olcayto, Editor, The Architects’ Journal. The winners of two other annual RIBA awards were also announced this evening: The Fishing Hut, Hampshire by Niall McLaughlin Architects won the 2015 Stephen Lawrence Prize for the best project with a construction budget of less than £1 million. Established in memory of Stephen Lawrence who was setting out on the road to becoming an architect when he was murdered in 1993, the prize is intended to encourage fresh talent working with smaller budgets. The prize is funded by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation. National Theatre won the 2015 RIBA Client of the Year, supported by The Bloxham Charitable Trust. The award recognizes the role good clients play in the delivery of fine architecture. [The winner of the RIBA House of the Year, sponsored by specialist insurer Hiscox, will be announced as part of a new Channel 4 TV series, Grand Designs: RIBA House of the Year, in November 2015] The Architects’ Journal is the professional media partner for the RIBA Stirling Prize. ENDS Notes to editors: 1. Full information about the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize including previous winners is at: https://www.architecture.com/StirlingPrize/RIBAStirlingPrize2015.aspx#shortlist 2. For further press information please contact Beatrice Cooke in the RIBA Press Office beatrice.cooke@riba.org 020 7307 3813 / 07805 173 681 3.
Twenty retail brands have taken new stores in Leeds so far this year, with a distinct bias towards ‘aspirational’ brands, according to analysis by Savills. Retailers including Zara Home, Samsung, Oliver Bonas and Snow & Rock have all taken new units in the city in 2016, taking the total number of new brands which have arrived in Leeds since 2013 to 118. There are now approximately 1,200 independent and chain shops in the city centre, 780 of which are by brands which have at least one store elsewhere, according to Savills. Steve Henderson, director in Savills retail team, comments: “Such is the attraction of Leeds for retailers that it is now one of the most important retail destinations in the country. The trend will continue with the opening of Victoria Gate next month, which is set to be anchored by John Lewis and will bring a further upmarket retailers such as Calvin Klein, Anthropology and Cos to the city”. Tom Whittington, director in Savills commercial research team, adds: “The trend for retailers heading to Leeds has accelerated in the past three years, with 15 per cent of all the retail brands present in the city arriving in this time. We expect this only to continue as new schemes open”. Source link
Installer offers free servicing for charity Published: 02 June, 2016 Leeds-based heating installer Allen Hart, owner of CCH Leeds, offers free boiler servicing and installations to customers in return for a donation to his chosen charity, The Candlelighters Trust. The Trust donates hundreds of thousands of pounts to research into children’s cancer every year, as well as providing practical and emotional support to families of children suffering from cancer. Recently passing his target of £25,000, he first began providing charity installations in memory of his daughter Laura Hart, who lost her battle with a rare form of cancer in 2007, aged just three years old. To be able to complete the projects, Mr Hart relies on boiler and parts donations from manufacturers and time donated by local installers. On his latest installation in Harehills, Leeds, Mr Hart worked with boiler manufacturer Ravenheat. The company donated a highly efficient WH90 combi boiler for the seven-radiator system, and the company’s technical service manager, John Wilson, also provided the radiators needed to complete the project. Mr Hart said: “I’d like to thank Ravenheat for donating the boiler and for their ongoing support to The Candlelighters Trust. It’s not the first time they’ve donated to our charity installs and without their help, this wouldn’t have been possible.” John Wilson said: “We would like to thank CCH Leeds for giving us the opportunity to support this fantastic cause. Ravenheat are proud to be involved and we are humbled to see so many people giving up their time.” Anyone interested in booking a free boiler service is asked to get in touch with Mr Hart on 07725 692 699, or by visiting www.cchleeds.co.uk. Donations are accepted via the JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/cchleeds. Pictured: Matt Butler, Paul Daley, Phil Howard, John Wilson (Ravenheat’s technical service manager), Dale Evans, Allen Hart (owner of CCH Leeds), Tahir Rafiq, and Louis Pickersgill (Ravenheat’s managing director). Source link
You think it’s a good idea to label legal correspondence ‘without prejudice’…? Well think again, warns Christopher Coveney, a solicitor with Thomas Eggar LLP. Above: Christopher Coveney is a solicitor at Thomas Eggar LLP The effect of marking correspondence ‘without prejudice’ is widely misunderstood, even by those within the legal profession, as was apparent in a recent adjudication. The privilege that attaches to without prejudice correspondence enables parties to explore the possibilities of settlement. They may put forward proposals or offer concessions going beyond the position they would wish to adopt in formal proceedings in the knowledge that such correspondence cannot be referred to. A party may, for sensible commercial reasons, be willing to compromise a dispute on terms less favourable than the outcome they would argue for before a tribunal. The time, cost and effort involved in contested proceedings is frequently an incentive, in itself, to effect a settlement. The common misunderstanding is that correspondence marked ‘without prejudice’ by a party can then be made ‘open’ correspondence simply by that party waiving its without prejudice status. It cannot. In the case of Somatra Ltd v Sinclair Roche and Temperley (2000) the Court of Appeal held that a party to litigation was not entitled to rely upon the contents of without prejudice discussions with another party in order to advance its case at trial, unless subsequent conduct by the other party entitled it so to do. The same applies to correspondence. In short, if one party issues without prejudice correspondence, unless the other party agrees, the party issuing it cannot then refer to it. The reason is consistent with the policy that parties should be encouraged to look to settle disputes themselves and should be free to make proposals and offers that do not reflect adversely upon their case in the event that the without prejudice negotiations are unsuccessful. In the recent adjudication, a contractor in dispute with a subcontractor was unwilling to set out anything other than its trenchant denial of the subcontractor’s claims in open correspondence, then sought to introduce without prejudice correspondence of a more conciliatory approach. It was not allowed to do so. It appears that lawyers, who should be more sophisticated in their understanding, sometimes confuse ‘without prejudice’ privilege with ‘legal privilege’. Legal privilege generally protects correspondence between a party and their lawyers for the purpose of providing legal advice and assistance from being subject to disclosure. Legal privilege can be waived, but beware. Legal privilege cannot be waived for only part of a document. Further the waiver of legal privilege for certain advice given may give rise to the argument that legal privilege is waived for all of the advice given. Too often correspondence is marked ‘without prejudice’ when the author may later wish to rely on it. If a party wishes to set out its position in relation to a dispute (absent concessions that it might be willing to make by way of a compromise but not be held to in proceedings), marking correspondence ‘without prejudice’ is rarely appropriate. This article was published on 3 Aug 2015 (last updated on 3 Aug 2015). Source link
The story of how two electrical specialists teamed up and succeeded in the Middle East following the global oil price crash ~ During times of economic uncertainty, it is often prudent for business leaders to diversify their companies’ products, services and markets to mitigate their risk exposure. In the same way that many businesses are now adjusting their strategic outlook in light of Brexit, others are using the opportunity to enter into new markets. Following a similar period of uncertainty in 2015, after the global oil and gas price crashed, load bank specialist Crestchic and power distribution specialist ide Systems teamed up to take on the Middle East power rental market. It may come as a surprise to learn that some of the world’s biggest companies started out life in a very different form to the brands we know and love today. For example, Twitter started life as a podcasting service, Starbucks used to sell coffee machines, Nokia began as a paper mill, Hewlett-Packard specialised in electrical testing products and even Apple teetered on the brink of bankruptcy before Steve Jobs launched the iPod. A difficult dilemma Similarly, Crestchic found itself in need of an adjustment to its business model when the global price of oil and gas crashed. One of a group of companies owned by AIM-listed Northbridge Industrial Services plc, Crestchic is the world’s largest specialist load bank manufacturer, having sold and hired equipment to companies worldwide for over 25 years. “Following the oil price crash, our parent company Northbridge plc faced a growing risk-exposure to a portion of its investment portfolio, which consists of businesses serving the oil and gas market,” explained Chris Caldwell, European rental director of Crestchic. “To mitigate this risk, we adjusted Crestchic’s strategic focus to capitalise on the growing power market.” The rapid growth of social media, online services and cloud computing in recent years has given rise to an increasing dependence on temporary and emergency backup power supplies, which are used to power the new wave of data centres. This is particularly true in applications such as financial services, hospitals and commercial buildings. Here, the use of load banks to test mission-critical power supplies is equally as important as the power supplies themselves. With a product range designed and manufactured in the UK, Crestchic has established successful rental operations in countries including the UK, France, Germany, Singapore, China and the USA. Generator rental companies typically purchase Crestchic’s load banks, transformers and critical testing equipment to fill a shortfall in their supply inventory. A fresh perspective As part of its diversification strategy, Crestchic spotted an opportunity to gain increased market penetration in the Middle East where Northbridge plc already operated a Crestchic Middle East (CME) rental fulfilment warehouse, as well as Tasman, an oil and gas tools business, in Jebel Ali, UAE. In order to deliver a full portfolio of rental equipment, Crestchic turned to power-distribution specialist ide Systems. Based in Cannock, Staffordshire, with outlets in London and Glasgow, ide Systems specialises in the rental and bespoke engineering of products including distribution boards, changeover systems, inline protection, and cabling. They typically supply sectors such as events, construction, commerce, healthcare, and military. “Having already worked with Crestchic to supply rental equipment into France and Germany, we were keen to join forces to take on the Middle East rental market,” explained Ian Thomas, managing director of ide Systems. “We entered into a joint venture and used a revenue sharing model. We supplied the capital investment for the rental equipment while Crestchic supplied the facilities and the team required to manage the day-to-day rental operations. “Our research in the Middle East showed that it was ideally located to make a significant impact on the rental market and provide easy access to neighbouring regions including North Africa and India, as well as the wider Middle East and Asia.” Many GCC countries are still recovering from the 2009 global economic crisis, with average economic growth in the region forecast at 1.8 per cent according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Countering this trend, Dubai has certainly bounced back much faster thanks to its more diversified economy and is now set to experience 3.7 per cent economic growth in 2016. This is despite estimates by the IMF showing that low oil prices in the Arabian Gulf will result in the loss of $140 billion in export revenue. Part of the reason why Dubai has bucked the economic downturn is the government’s creation of economic hubs such as the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). Boasting one of the Middle East’s busiest ports, the Jebel Ali Free Zone is a state-owned free economic zone designed to provide foreign businesses with a low-tax, low-bureaucracy, environment that delivers extensive infrastructure supported by excellent logistics. Overcoming obstacles Taking advantage of this opportunity, ide Systems provided a suite of electrical equipment ranging from power distribution boards, automatic changeover systems, switches, inline protection, cabling and more. “However, simply supplying the equipment was not enough,” continued Thomas. “We faced some key challenges unique to the Middle East. We had to make some minor modifications to the equipment to withstand the extreme temperatures, especially for outdoor use and at events. “Because the ambient temperatures can potentially cause internal components to fail, we adapted the equipment to include forced ventilation and added solar-gain shields to the housing to limit thermal issues. Many of the larger power distribution boards also needed to be adapted with caster wheels, trolleys and cradles for larger corporate events.” Compliance challenges As well as making technical modifications, the weaker regulatory framework in the region posed a challenge. To overcome this problem, the company ensured that all equipment was tested and certified to the highest levels, going beyond the regulatory requirements. “One of the weaknesses of the Middle East rental market is that many providers simply don’t test equipment properly,” explained Thomas. “This means that businesses who want
This year’s CIBSE Building Performance Awards has seen three organisations as double winners during its results night at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. The focus of the awards is on the delivered performance outcomes achieved by buildings and projects. The Coveted Building Performance Champion title went to the University of Oxford, together with the Facilities Management Team of the Year. Both awards were given for the team’s Carbon Reduction Programme which aims to reduce the university’s direct carbon emissions by 33% by 2020. The judges noticed that the programme resulted in a host of collaborative initiatives and new carbon savings partnerships have developed between students, staff, the City Council, and the industry: “The University of Oxford is leading the way for the higher education sector, not only in the global rankings of universities, but in the management of their extensive and diverse estate,” said the judges. The other double winners of the evening were Elementa Consulting, which took the Building Performance Consultancy for up to 100 employees and the International Project of the Year awards for its engineering design of an ultra-low energy laboratory at Pomona College, California, USA, while BuroHappold Engineering received the Building Performance Consultancy for over 1000 employees and the Energy Efficient Product or Innovation awards for its NewMass cooling system. “The CIBSE Building Performance Awards increasingly stand for ethical, sustainable and environmentally sound business. Those organisations who take their commitment to energy management and WELL Building seriously should be championed and their examples followed by others. I praise the good work of all the finalists and winners and encourage others to follow their lead,” said CIBSE President Peter Y Wong. Other winners for this year’s edition include Architype, BDP, Choice Housing Ireland, Energy Action, Landsec, Max Fordham, NPS North West, Q-Bot and Willmott Dixon.
Salix Homes has announced a development proposal to modernise the eight-storey building on Canon Green Drive in Salford. The housing association is planning to renovate it and create modern, attractive, and energy efficient homes that are suitable in the long run. The 1960s building dominates the Salford skyline with its distinctive blue balconies, which have been used in several television dramas such as ITV’s Prey and Channel 4’s No Offence. Now, Salix Homes together with the residents of the iconic apartment block, have been consulting each other on initial designs and how the building could look after undergoing the ambitious regeneration project, which includes the development of an additional 100-unit apartment block on the expansive site. “We have been working very closely with residents to ensure they’re involved in this much-needed improvement work every step of the way,” said Sue Sutton, Executive Director of Operations at Salix Homes. “This is an exciting time for Salix Homes and for our residents. We’ve listened to what our residents want and we will continue to work closely together to develop proposals that benefit everyone and creates modern, energy efficient homes we can all be proud of.” The initial design proposal includes an additional multi-storey apartment block built within the grounds and a major facelift, including new bathrooms, kitchens, heating systems, and external wall insulation, undergone on the current block. In 2015, tenants voted to transfer their homes from Salford Council to the ownership of Salix Homes, which promised them an investment in the Canon Green Court. “Not only will our ambitious plans transform the homes and hopefully the lives of the current residents of Canon Green Court, but will also provide the opportunity for Salix Homes to build around 100 desperately needed new homes for local people,” added Sue. The work on the site will start later on this year and will be completed in 2020.
Crosslane Student Developments, part of the Crosslane Group, is pleased to announce that it has secured planning consent to deliver a 207-bed purpose-built student accommodation development scheme in Dublin. The project will be Crosslane’s first student development in the city and in the Republic of Ireland. Completion of the scheme is due in time for the 2019/2020 academic year and Prime Student Living, the student accommodation lettings and operational management arm of Crosslane, will be responsible for achieving full occupancy prior to practical completion. The site is located at the junction of Carman’s Hall and Garden Lane, within the Dublin’s main ring road, just to the west of the city centre and south of the River Liffey. The development is a short walk away from Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons’ campus, and University College Dublin and City University are easily accessible by bus. Crosslane has worked closely with planning officers to ensure the development upholds and positively contributes to the character of the surrounding conservation area, whilst also delivering a scheme in line with the Dublin City Council’s Development and Regeneration Strategy. Following feedback from the planning department, the external design was amended from initial proposals to ensure the impact of the development on local amenities and public access routes was minimized and the privacy of the neighbouring properties protected. The scheme itself will comprise three residential buildings of between three and six storeys, containing 207 high-specification en-suite beds arranged in cluster flats of between five to eight bedrooms. The property will also feature significant dedicated communal areas, including a common room, gym and study room, a management suite, bicycle storage, a public coffee shop at ground level and a private outdoor landscaped courtyard. Dublin is an internationally renowned university city and has approximately 70,000 students studying at the city’s higher education establishments. Dublin’s oldest and most prestigious universities are Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, ranked 98th and 17th in the world respectively in the QS World University Rankings 2016/17. There is a significant supply-demand imbalance in the city as demand for well-located, premium-built student accommodation in the city continues to increase. According to the Higher Education Authority, there is a need for around 25,000 more student beds in Ireland with the shortage being most acute in Dublin. Crosslane has appointed local, Dublin based architects John Fleming for the design of the development. Lisa Timberlake, Development Manager, Crosslane Student Developments, said: “Crosslane is delighted to have secured planning consent for our first student accommodation development in Dublin following extensive engagement with the local planning officers and consultation with local residents. The 207 bed scheme will significantly ease the demand for purpose-built student accommodation which persists in Dublin, whilst also delivering a building which reflects the planning officers’ vision for this exciting conservation and regeneration area.” “The scheme is conveniently located in the heart of the city centre, within easy reach of Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons and with excellent transport links that make it easily accessible to students from University College Dublin and City University.”
With just a few months to go until the arrival of the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, Bureau Veritas is calling on construction industry to embrace the changes brought by the new Part 8 section – stating it is an important step forward in the UK’s green agenda. As one of the most successful countries in its carbon reductions, the UK continues to make huge headway in its target towards reducing emissions by 80% on 1990 levels before 2050 – with the adoption of more energy efficient solutions integral to this. Yet until this point, there has been no official best practice regulation around the design and installation of energy efficient technology – meaning it has been all too common for installations to be completed with little regard to energy use and emissions. Cue the arrival of the 18th Edition this July (2018) which, for the first time, will go beyond just looking at safety requirements to include a section dedicated to energy efficiency in installation – a move which Bureau Veritas states will bring renewed focus on the energy efficiency plight. Mahendra Mistry, technical manager for electrical systems at Bureau Veritas, said: “Although it’s been the subject of much debate, with some stating that the Wiring Regulations should be confined solely to safety requirements, the introduction of an energy efficient section is an vital step forward in ensuring the most current and relevant guidance possible. “Until now, energy efficiency has all too often been a ‘nice to have’, with it all too common for installations to be chopped and changed, with little regard to the distribution of electricity or potential losses. However, by making energy efficiency a primary focus from the offset, we can look to ensure that each and every installation is completely as safety and sustainably as possible.” Comprising 25 pages, the new Part 8 section provides guidance on ensuring the energy-efficiency of electrical installations with a view to lessening environmental impact, reducing energy losses, using energy only when required and potentially at a lower tariff, reducing maintenance by ensuring equipment is installed correctly and enhancing life-time efficiency. The consensus is that the change could help coerce increased demand for smart solutions, such as electric vehicles, LEDs, power factor correction and the like, while, in turn, opening up new business opportunities for electrical contractors. Mahendra adds: “As an industry, we still have a huge job to do in terms of not just meeting carbon reduction commitments but ensuring a sustainable infrastructure; which Part 8 will help to more adequately address. Indeed, it may mean more change for construction sector and contractors to get to grips with but it is an important regulatory reform which not only aid our sustainability plight but create new opportunity.” To find out more about Bureau Veritas please call 0345 600 1828 or email info@uk.bureauveritas.com. Alternatively, please visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk
The UK Concrete Show 2018 welcomes B&B Attachments Ltd and its BlockMaster K320, FMK150, and Power Mount Quick Release System at the specialist concrete event. The attachments will be on display at stand G12 from the 21st until the 22nd of March 2018 at the NEC in Birmingham. The UK Concrete Show is Europe’s largest specialist concrete event and the only one in the UK completely dedicated to the concrete industry. Almost 200 product categories will be on display and senior specifying and purchasing personnel are fascinated by it. The attachments provided by B&B are all designed to assist with the complex task of moving blocks and bricks around the site in a safe and efficient manner. BlockMaster K320 was made especially for specialist applications within the construction industry and is rated at 3200 kg, which makes it ideal for yard work and loading. It can handle up to two block packs and multiple kerb loads at a time, offering performance, maximum productivity, and durability. As a fork mounted block clamp, the FMK150 has an inside height of up to 800mm, allowing multiple packs of decorative stone, flag, or kerb to be handled at once. It is ideal for production and loading and comes in a range of opening ranges, capacities, and gripper bar lengths. The PowerMount Quick Release System is the perfect solution for a quick change from one hydraulic attachment to another in just 90 seconds, without the need for any tools or an engineer. A forklift truck can use several attachments, therefore providing the best possible utilisation of a forklift fleet and guaranteeing a fast, safe, and easy way to interchange forklift attachments. B&B Attachments has a full range of specialist clamps for the block, paver, and brick market, with many unique features that ensure maximum productivity and safety when handling materials.
