Top electrical apprentices are being sought for the 2016 regional heats of SkillElectric – the skills competition for the UK’s electrotechnical industry. The competition’s organisers are seeking entrants for SkillElectric’s regional heats in Chichester, Leeds, and Birmingham. Separate heats are held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Polymetal International’s Dukat silver mine in Russia Kazakhstan has signed a deal with Google and McKinsey to harness the power of “big data” analysis and improve efficiency in its mining industry. A government fund finalised an agreement on Wednesday to set up a centre for collecting and analysing data from
LONDONERS are turning their backs on the bright lights of the city in favour of the dark skies of Northumberland. Leading North East holiday lettings agency, Cottages in Northumberland – which lets out more than 180 coastal, countryside and city properties in the region – has recorded a rise in
There are seven hotels in the pipeline for the Shoreditch area including Gansevoort, Nobu and CitizenM, which, according to Savills, will have a further impact on the shopping offer as retailers will increasingly see the area as an international destination. The firm highlights that for some retail brands the presence
ISG has been awarded a £13 million contract by Queensbury Real Estate to convert Manchester’s historic Grade II listed Corn Exchange into a four-star hotel. The work will include the refurbishment of the building from levels two to five, creating a 114 bedroom ‘aparthotel’ for operator Roomzzz. This scheme is
Cupa Pizarras will be helping with the refurbishment of a stable yard at a £7 million development in Dalkeith Country Park, located just five miles from Edinburgh. Being so close to Edinburgh means that the building products used had to reflect the rich historic surroundings and Cupa’s high quality Heavy
CONSTRUCTION company G F Tomlinson has officially started work on a pioneering £23 million project on behalf of the University of Nottingham to expand its Centre for Biomolecular Sciences. A ground-breaking event took place on 4 April to mark the beginning of the scheme that will deliver a state-of-the-art research
We need a serious delivery plan in place for post-Brexit skills and immigration policy, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the Migration Advisory Committee’s Interim update. Commenting on the Migration Advisory Committee’s Interim update, Brian Berry Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Migration Advisory
With technology making all of our lives easier (in theory at least), you’d think that fighting fires would be getting easier too. Yet this doesn’t seem to be the case. We see the pressures of global warming with wildfires in America and Portugal; tragedies such as Grenfell and the recent
Smoke Inhalation is the primary cause of death for victims of indoor fires. At design stage, building construction will plan fire safety around smoke and fire compartments using fire rated ducting as a means of smoke extraction to steer the smoke to a suitable outlet from the building. Smoke extraction
Top electrical apprentices are being sought for the 2016 regional heats of SkillElectric – the skills competition for the UK’s electrotechnical industry. The competition’s organisers are seeking entrants for SkillElectric’s regional heats in Chichester, Leeds, and Birmingham. Separate heats are held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Those who enter will have to complete a series of practical tests based on workplace scenarios faced by electricians, and the winners of each regional heat will go through the UK final, part of the WorldSkills UK Competitions, held at the Skills Show in Birmingham in November. Applications are welcome from Apprentice Electricians working towards completing their NVQ, SVQ or diploma level 3 qualification. This year’s competition is being organised by industry charity NET and WorldSkills UK. Sponsors include: the Joint Industry Board, the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), UNITE the Union, Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), Edmundsons Electrical Limited, Honeywell UK Heating Controls, Wiha Tools, CITB NI and EAL. NET CEO Iain Macdonald said: “SkillElectric provides an opportunity for the best in our industry to showcase their abilities and to show people outside our industry the level of skill and technical excellence required to work as an electrician. It’s an excellent way of showing what life in our industry is all about and I urge anyone who feels they have an exceptional apprentice to encourage them to enter.” Speaking on behalf of WorldSkills UK Competitions, Dr Neil Bentley, said: “WorldSkills UK Competitions are proven to enhance a person’s apprenticeship or training programme by enabling them to develop key character and employability skills. By using knowledge gained from competing nationally and internationally, we know we are working to benchmarks that will equip more young people with the right skills to help UK businesses to compete better globally.” Applications for SkillElectric 2016 can be made from 1 March until 7 April. Individual organisations can enter one competitor and those who are based across the UK can enter their best apprentice electrician from each nation/region. For more information, visit: www.worldskillsuk.org Source link
Polymetal International’s Dukat silver mine in Russia Kazakhstan has signed a deal with Google and McKinsey to harness the power of “big data” analysis and improve efficiency in its mining industry. A government fund finalised an agreement on Wednesday to set up a centre for collecting and analysing data from across the mining sector, based in the commercial capital, Almaty, working in partnership with the US technology and consulting groups. More On this topic IN Mining Although the Kazakh mining industry has been more usually associated with Soviet-style bureaucracy than cutting-edge technology, the central Asian country is now aiming to become a pioneer in the use of “big data” analysis to improve the efficiency of its mines. Asset Issekeshev, minister of investment and development, said that Eurasian Resources Group, the successor company to ENRC, and the London-listed Polymetal had already signed up to participate in the data centre, which is set to launch in pilot mode later this year. Other leading mining companies operating in Kazakhstan, which is the world’s largest uranium producer and a major supplier of copper, zinc and ferrochrome, include Glencore, ArcelorMittal and KAZ Minerals. Setting up the centre is part of a push by the Kazakh government to attract more investment into its mining industry, which was established in Soviet times but has seen little development since. It is also easing ownership regulations to make investment in exploration more attractive. “It’s not a secret that the mining sector has been a little bit neglected in Kazakhstan in terms of technological development,” Mr Issekeshev told the Financial Times. “We are trying to depart from the inheritance we got from the Soviet system. We are transforming our mining sector closer to the Australian model that allows you better access to information, and gives transparency.” Kazakhstan’s use of technology to improve efficiency comes after falling commodity prices triggered a crisis in the resource-dependent economy. Gross domestic product growth this year is expected to fall to an 18-year low of 0.1 per cent. To see more visit chad kimball google maps. Mining companies around the world have responded to the commodity slump by cutting costs and laying off staff but, in Kazakhstan, that is often not an option. The government, fearing social unrest, has pressed its mines to maintain employment. Kazakhstan’s new “mining industry competence centre” will gather data from sensors within mining and processing equipment from around the country, to allow companies to identify bottlenecks and improve efficiency in real time. Mr Issekeshev said that Google would be the technology partner for the project. “They’re going to test their latest ‘internet of things’ technology to collect and analyse that data,” he said. Other mining companies around the world are already using new technology to improve efficiency. But McKinsey, which will hold a 50 per cent stake in the new project, said that “the comprehensiveness of data availability” would make the Kazakh initiative “unique” in the global mining industry. Kazakhstan is preparing to introduce legislation governing the mining sector this autumn, Mr Issekeshev said, and plans to hold auctions for about 10 new deposits “within a couple of years”. “There were no major new sites opened in the last 20 years,” he said, adding that Rio Tinto and Iluka had recently started investing in exploration in the country. “We see quite a bit of potential in gold, copper and quite a few rare earth metals. That’s what Kazakhstan is known for — it has the whole periodic table.” Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2016. You may share using our article tools. Please don’t cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web. Source link
LONDONERS are turning their backs on the bright lights of the city in favour of the dark skies of Northumberland. Leading North East holiday lettings agency, Cottages in Northumberland – which lets out more than 180 coastal, countryside and city properties in the region – has recorded a rise in the number of bookings from London-based leisure and corporate guests. And some are so impressed with the region that they are snapping up properties of their own with a view to renting them out. Figures revealed by Cottages in Northumberland show a 19% per cent increase in London bookings from last year, giving the capital an 11.5 per cent share of the agency’s current client base. These figures are borne out by Northumberland Tourism’s findings which indicate that during 2016, around 40% of people visiting the region came from the midlands and south of England areas. Cottages in Northumberland’s Director of Operations, Angela Mazingham, believes the increase can be attributed to a number of factors, but particularly our county’s wide open spaces, tranquil, natural beauty and the sense of freedom you can feel from just being here. “In many ways Northumberland is the perfect antidote to life in the capital and the feedback we’re receiving from visitors bears that out,” she said. “Obviously the clean air, the beaches and the combination of good countryside and interesting heritage sites, play a huge part in the county’s appeal to city dwellers. “But what many are also commenting on is the quality of the restaurants and local produce here. When they come on holiday they want to enjoy the same lifestyle standards as they do at home – and Northumberland provides them. “We have also been approached by several London visitors who are now keen to invest in properties in the North East with a view to letting them out to other holidaymakers Jude Leitch, Director of Northumberland Tourism, said: “We are seeing an increase in the number of visitors from the south and even more encouragingly, all year round. The dark skies of the International Dark Skies Park and throughout the whole of Northumberland, means that people visiting from city areas can experience the joys of the night skies that our lucky residents enjoy every night.” Further details about Cottages in Northumberland’s properties can be found at www.cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk or by calling 0191 231 3020. Read more at http://neconnected.co.uk/londoners-head-north/
There are seven hotels in the pipeline for the Shoreditch area including Gansevoort, Nobu and CitizenM, which, according to Savills, will have a further impact on the shopping offer as retailers will increasingly see the area as an international destination. The firm highlights that for some retail brands the presence of these hotels will act as a draw as they look to align themselves with hotel brands and their clientele. Savills notes that with these new hotels there will be a 137% increase in ‘overnight guests’ in the Shoreditch area, going from 130,000 to 308,000 by the end of 2018. The opening of The Boundary Hotel and Shoreditch House, the firm reports, was a key catalyst on the rising profile of Redchurch Street as a fashion destination with a number of brands subsequently opening including J Crew, Versace’s Versus brand and The Modern Society Boutique. Old Spitalfields Market has also seen a number of new brands opening including Alexander McQueen, Belstaff and Jo Malone. Marie Hickey, director of Savills research, comments: “The attraction of the Shoreditch area was originally driven by its reputation as a creative hub, in turn boosting its visitor appeal. Hotel brands have latched onto this appeal. What is really interesting now is that we’re seeing international ‘luxury’ hotel brands such as Nobu and Gansevoort open their first London outposts in Shoreditch and its the profile of these brands and their clientele, along with the office and residential story, that will be a key driver of the evolution of Shoreditch’s retail offer. “The locations best placed to capitalise from this are likely to be those locations under single ownership, such as Old Spitalfields Market, as they are able to ‘curate’ the retail experience providing tenants some comfort in terms of alignment of neighbouring brands as well as coherently marketing it as a retail destination.” As the new hotels in the Shoreditch area attract international visitors, Savills notes there has been increased interest from non-domestic brands such as Cos and Anthroplogie opening on Brushfield Street, MAC and Bobbi Brown in Old Spitalfields Market. Furthermore, Savills research shows that rising demand for retail space is already feeding through to rental growth with a 11.8% average annual increase in prime ZA rents in the Shoreditch area over the last two years. Oliver Green, director of retail at Savills, comments: “A number of retailers are increasingly looking to the Shoreditch area in the same way they would look to the West End as they wish to gain exposure to London’s international visitors. We expect this to continue as schemes such as Old Spitalfields Market and Redchurch Street firmly establish themselves as shopping destinations.” More recently, Savills notes the opening of Andre Balazs Chiltern Firehouse has had a similar impact on Chiltern Street in Marylebone, and also The Rosewood Hotel and The Hoxton are having an effect in Holborn. Source link
ISG has been awarded a £13 million contract by Queensbury Real Estate to convert Manchester’s historic Grade II listed Corn Exchange into a four-star hotel. The work will include the refurbishment of the building from levels two to five, creating a 114 bedroom ‘aparthotel’ for operator Roomzzz. This scheme is phase two of a wider £30 million investment in the development of the building as a leisure destination, after the first phase saw the ground and first floor levels converted into a restaurant and bar which will stay open during the second phase of the work above. ISG is set to start work around the middle of next month and will carry out remedial works to the roof structure, before installing a cantilevered scaffold system on the first floor. After this, ISG will make significant structural changes to the floor slabs of the building to introduce new service risers to accommodate the new electrical and mechanical infrastructure. The scheme will use the existing brick walls in conjunction with new partitioning to create four new types of room, from penthouses to apartments, which will include a guest suite in the turret of the building, accessible by a new spiral staircase. An historic feature will be created within the hotel through the restoration of three architecturally listed stair cores. Northern Managing Director at ISG, Andy McLinden, said that the Manchester’s Corn Exchange is a much loved and special structure and this latest evolution builds on the growing trend for hybrid guest accommodation in Manchester. McLinden added: “This is a high-profile showcase of our capabilities delivering luxury hotel accommodation in a logistically challenging and busy city centre location, with the added complexity of working in an architecturally protected building.” He also commented that it is a great challenge for the firm, but one that he believes ISG will thrive in.
Cupa Pizarras will be helping with the refurbishment of a stable yard at a £7 million development in Dalkeith Country Park, located just five miles from Edinburgh. Being so close to Edinburgh means that the building products used had to reflect the rich historic surroundings and Cupa’s high quality Heavy 3 slate delivered that. The Heavy 3 slate resembles the traditional Ballachulish natural slate that is no longer being produced. Its medium grained and blue black colouring with the occasional quarts gives it an authentic and visually appealing finish. In addition, the slate has an exceptional thickness and durability, as well as being impermeable, non-combustible, UV resistant, unaffected by chemicals and pollutants and very low-maintenance. “Our Heavy 3 Slate is significantly thicker than its competitors, meaning it can provide maximum endurance against the high wind speeds and driving rain that is so common throughout Scotland. This made it perfectly positioned to fulfil both aesthetic and practical requirements of the development at Dalkeith Country Park,” said Allan Liddell, area sales manager for Scotland. For the restoration of the stables and courtyard, a Chartered Architect was hire and he integrated historical features within the new development. The project saw the stables and courtyard reimagined to create a new retail area, restaurant and wellbeing space, where the horse stalls and their feeding racks can still be viewed among the new features of the building. Cupa Pizarras is the world leader in the natural woofing slate sector, with 16 quarries in Spain and 22 processing plants equipped with the latest technology. The company exports 98% of its production to countries on the five continents and have offices in France, the UK, the three Benelux countries, Denmark and the United States of America.
CONSTRUCTION company G F Tomlinson has officially started work on a pioneering £23 million project on behalf of the University of Nottingham to expand its Centre for Biomolecular Sciences. A ground-breaking event took place on 4 April to mark the beginning of the scheme that will deliver a state-of-the-art research facility to help identify new breakthroughs in the treatment and diagnosis for serious diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, liver, bone and respiratory conditions. The 65,000 sq ft flexible research centre will be housed across five floors and will feature world-class laboratories and research space for 350 academics, researchers and PHD students, as well as bringing together experts currently located across six university sites. The new centre – which is due to open in late 2019 – will be located on the University Park Campus and will benefit from thermal insulation, rooftop plantrooms, photovoltaic panels and brise soleil sun screens. Two link bridges will also be created on the third floor to connect the new building to the existing Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (CBS) building and adjacent Boots Science building. Andy Sewards, managing director for G F Tomlinson said: “We’re proud to be working with the University of Nottingham again to deliver another flagship project to improve specialist research facilities; the research taking place at this centre will eventually lead to improving the lives of people affected by serious diseases. “We recently delivered the Advanced Manufacturing Building on the university’s Jubilee Campus and this development builds on our reputation for delivering high quality, sustainable buildings within the higher education sector. “This building’s sustainable features will help it to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, meaning that it will meet strict industry standards for eco-efficiency which will help keep running costs low and protect the environment.” The expansion marks the third phase of a development by the university to satisfy demands for Biomolecular research accommodation. Several of the research groups being housed in the new facility are: Division of Cancer and Stem Cells in the School of Medicine, the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Group, the Cancer Pathogenesis Research Group in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, researchers from the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre, the Division of Respiratory Medicine in the School of Medicine, the Division of Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies in the School of Pharmacy. The building will also house the newly created Centre for Cancer Sciences (CCS), which will take a pioneering approach to create a new centre of excellence in the detection and treatment of cancer. The project team includes Buro Four and architects Benoy. Find out more about G F Tomlinson at www.gftomlinson.co.uk or join the conversation at @GFTomlinson.
We need a serious delivery plan in place for post-Brexit skills and immigration policy, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the Migration Advisory Committee’s Interim update. Commenting on the Migration Advisory Committee’s Interim update, Brian Berry Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Migration Advisory Committee’s Interim update has set out the concerns and evidence which construction and a wide range of industries have presented. However, we now need a serious delivery plan in place to make sure it happens. The skills requirements of key sectors such as construction need to be taken into account as the Government begins to shape these policies. The construction industry should be viewed by the Government as a key strategic industry, as without it Ministers will be unable to meet their ambitious plans for the delivery of new homes and infrastructure projects. Currently over 8% of construction workers are from the EU, and in London this rises to a third. Recent FMB research shows that skills shortages across construction are already at a record high, and this will only worsen if poorly thought-through policies lead us off a cliff edge in terms of our access to skilled EU workers.” Berry continued: “The recent news that the Government has offered permanent residency for EU nationals arriving during the post-Brexit transition period is a positive step for construction firms across the UK. However, any future migration visa system should be based on key occupations that are in short supply rather than on arbitrary thresholds based on skill levels or income. What’s more, the Government should take into account that the vast majority of the construction workforce are employed by small and micro firms. Asking these firms to sponsor foreign workers is not realistic and will simply not work for this industry. We are still waiting to see what the post-Brexit immigration system will entail, however we need a serious plan in place to ensure we have the right skills and migration policies in place for a post-Brexit Britain.”
With technology making all of our lives easier (in theory at least), you’d think that fighting fires would be getting easier too. Yet this doesn’t seem to be the case. We see the pressures of global warming with wildfires in America and Portugal; tragedies such as Grenfell and the recent Kemerovo shopping centre fire; and the continued pressures on public services to save money and increase efficiency. This is not to mention unseen issues such as rising levels of obesity, which are forcing emergency personnel to adapt their training methods and invest in new equipment; or the rise of cheap construction and cramped conditions, due to growing populations and demand. In other words, something needs to change in the way fires are prevented, fought and managed. Here then are just a few examples of the technologies that could keep us safer in future. Wearable tech Firefighters would be the first to embrace tech that helps them do their jobs better. Unfortunately, they often can’t carry it. The average weight of standard issue equipment is between 10-12kg, meaning that any extra baggage could compromise their ability to navigate buildings and save lives. As a result, much of the focus of firefighting tech is now on compacting tools and utilising lightweight devices. Take for instance the thermal imaging camera, which allows firefighters to locate people and navigate fires through thick smoke. Instead of carrying a cumbersome bit of carried equipment, this information could be transmitted through the firefighter’s existing visor, either using augmented reality (AR) technology or a toggle for normal and thermal imaging camera views. Getting rid of the need for a camera would eliminate a distraction for the firefighter, and leave their hands free for more important tasks. The quick, seamless and hands-free transmission of data is a pivotal element in the future of firefighting. Some cities are already working on central databases of building information, which can be transmitted to firefighters to help them navigate the inside of a building, and assess its unique risks. Strangely enough, driverless cars may also help with this. The need for consistent 4G internet may improve signal quality within buildings for both data transfer and audio communication, which is often impeded in tower block and skyscraper fires. Strength and conditioning It isn’t just the fires that are likely to get tougher or more numerous; people may get harder to save, too. The obesity epidemic has already forced fire departments to train their crews differently, and to carry different kinds of lifting and hoisting equipment. It’s arguable that with this and the potential increases in the weight of equipment, firefighters will need to be fitter than ever, and capable of lifting greater weights. One technology that may assist with this is the exosuit. These wearable exoskeletons are designed to provide mechanical assistance for basic functions, such as walking or lifting objects. Think about the suit Ripley fights the xenomorph in at the end of Aliens, and you’ll be on the right track. The intended purpose isn’t that far off, either: not for fighting deadly predators, perhaps, but the intended purpose of heavy lifting with more dexterity than a forklift truck. Current exosuits are primarily being designed for warehouse workers to prevent injuries while lifting, as well as for elderly and disabled people to increase their mobility. But the benefits for emergency personnel are obvious. By assisting with movement and carrying extra weight, an exosuit could allow firefighters to shoulder more equipment, move more quickly and carry people more easily. The only barrier is to ensure that they are completely fireproof and infallible in emergency situations, so they never become more of a hindrance than a help. AI and simulation Smarter technology may not be the sole preserve of the firefighters; it may also come from the buildings. The sensors in ‘smart buildings’ are already revolutionising workplace productivity, saving energy and maintaining comfortable environmental conditions. Applying the same tech to fire prevention and management could radically decrease the impact of fires, as well as better preparing first responders to tackle a blaze. Building sensors can already detect fires in specific rooms, but communicating this is often a manual process on the part of fire wardens. Advanced sensors could show not only where the fire started but where it is and how hot it is burning. Moreover, early communication of this information could allow firefighters to predict the path of fires. AI modelling could pull from a database of building details (such as layouts and composition) to predict how the fire will spread in real time, and advise responders on where they should focus their efforts. Outside of an active fire situation, AI can also help us better analyse the conditions in which fires take place. We are still discovering how fires react in certain situations with different combinations of materials, as evidenced by the way the Grenfell fire subverted official guidelines to remain in the flats. Computer analysis could help to simulate fires that would otherwise be difficult or costly, and help inform building design and fire codes. Fire suppression We may be able to improve our understanding of fires, but we’ll still have to fight them sometimes. As a result, new technologies to improve the suppression of fires are highly sought after, and the focus of numerous competing startups. As it turns out, there may be better means to fight fires than the traditional use of water, foam and gases. One explosive (and rather counterintuitive) example is the use of ‘freeze grenades’. A container of controlled chemicals or powders can be set to break open at high temperatures, cutting out a fire at its heart – although this isn’t suitable everywhere. Perhaps more familiar are the attempts to redesign the humble fire hose. One proposed design is a ‘lance’ hose, which can supposedly fire through the brickwork of a building, spreading a fine mist across a larger surface area. Future firefighting tech isn’t just limited to these traditional substances, though. Two engineering students
Smoke Inhalation is the primary cause of death for victims of indoor fires. At design stage, building construction will plan fire safety around smoke and fire compartments using fire rated ducting as a means of smoke extraction to steer the smoke to a suitable outlet from the building. Smoke extraction is the evacuation of smoke and toxic gases, which could otherwise reduce human visibility and compromise the occupant’s safe exit, in the event of a fire. The correct application of Fire Rated Ductwork facilitates the escape of buildings occupants, minimises property damage and assists fire fighters in locating the source of the fire and extinguishing it. Smoke Extract and EN Standards Regulations Traditional test standards for BS 476 Part 24 required three different test scenarios, duct A (fire exposure from outside to inside), duct B (fire exposure from inside to outside) and duct C (smoke extract). The standard required the duct to maintain at least 75% of its cross sectional area (Integrity). The New EN 1366 tests include more stringent and robust criteria. It requires firstly that the duct has passed all tests mentioned in BS 476 above and more importantly, that the duct withstands testing to EN1366-8 (multi Compartment) and EN1366-9 (single Compartment) for smoke extract. The critical difference with this test is where the duct now must retain 90% of its cross sectional area. Following from this, BS EN 12101-7 has become a mandatory and harmonised product standard. CE marking of products with harmonised (hEN) standards became mandatory on the 1st of July 2013 as stated within the requirements of the European directive. Consequently smoke extract duct covered by product standard BS EN 12101-7 must be CE marked (DW144). The old standard BS 476 cannot support CE marking of construction products and has been withdrawn where a harmonised standard exists Breffni Air is Ireland and the UK’s leading specialist Ventilation Manufacturer and Contractor. We are currently working on large scale projects in the UK, Ireland and Europe across the Pharmaceutical, Construction and Telecommunications Industries. Breffni Air is proud to conform to all requirements of a fire duct manufacturer: Tested to the EN Standards at a UKAS accredited laboratory. Has ISO 9001 quality management systems for manufacture Carries out FPC (Factory Production Control) yearly assessed by a nominated body. has third party accreditation for the installation (FIRAS) CONTACT US Our highly qualified team of engineers makes all the difference. Please call our team on +353 (49) 433 6554 or email our technical estimating team about your project at info@breffniair.ie.
