Keltbray acquired some of Dunne’s assets from the administrators FRM Advisory after the latter went into administration in July. This purchase includes Dunne’s former yard and head office at Bathgate in Scotland, as well as plant used for the construction of reinforced concrete structures. In a statement to Construction News, the company
The residential real estate market in Dubai maintained its stability in the year to April 2016, despite prices falling, according to the latest analysis report on the emirate. Despite a 9% year on year drop across the mainstream market, the General REIDIN sale price index remained relatively flat on a
Furness BS announces two new variable rate mortgages Furness Building Society has announced today that it has launched two variable rate products at 90% LTV, aimed at those taking their first step onto the property ladder. The new products carry a pay rate of 1.99% for two years (with a
A number of new Higher Education courses are springing up in the UK with one common feature – they are all appealing to a more diverse range of applicants. And with a need to encourage more women and under-represented groups into engineering these new courses are very welcome. This
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Aug 31st 2016 Glazing systems by Kawneer feature on the new Cardiff and Vale College. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday A multi award-winning building dubbed “the future of further education” in Wales features
Plasterboard manufacturer Knauf has expanded its manufacturing facilities in Immingham on the back of rising demand in the UK and Ireland. Above: Knauf’s Immingham plant Knauf, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of lightweight building materials and systems, has upgraded its production line allowing for a substantial increase in productivity.
Workers in the road construction and excavations industry constantly face hazards throughout their working day and many unfortunately become victims of accidents. However, recent years have seen an increase in many safety measures such as detailed site inspections, wearing high visibility clothing and the use of barriers around open trenches.
Where Has This Menace Come From? Mould is a type of fungus. It is difficult to say from where it comes. But one thing is certain. Mould thrives in a damp, humid atmosphere. And because mould in the house is very dangerous for both the house and its occupants, it
A multi-disciplinary construction consultancy is set to breathe life into one of Britain’s oldest surviving purpose-built cinemas after it scooped a huge £653,000 lottery grant. Colchester-based Daniel Connal Partnership will work with Ipswich-based Nicholas Jacob Architects to restore The Electric Palace cinema, Harwich, as part of an ambitious nine-month project.
The Financial Controller of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Limited, Steve Richards, has completed a mammoth cycle tour and marathon that aimed to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. He cycled 420 miles from Pontefract to Paris for two days and participated in the Paris Marathon the following day. On days
Keltbray acquired some of Dunne’s assets from the administrators FRM Advisory after the latter went into administration in July. This purchase includes Dunne’s former yard and head office at Bathgate in Scotland, as well as plant used for the construction of reinforced concrete structures. In a statement to Construction News, the company said: “Keltbray sees this as an opportunity to broaden its capability and services portfolio, widen its geographical reach and to respond to market demands.” Dunne Group fell into administration on 19 July, after workers at Dunne and its five subsidiaries were understood to have been pulled from multiple sites including 100 Bishopsgate, with Brookfield Multiplex. Brookfield Multiplex replaced Dunne with Byrne Group on 100 Bishopsgate and its One Blackfriars job three days after the contractor went into administration. The concrete specialist was also working on Mace’s Newington Butt’s scheme in south London and was replaced by concrete contractor Getjar earlier this month. CN Summit Keltbray chief executive Brendan Kerr will be speaking at the CN Summit on the subcontractor panel. Mr Kerr will appear alongside Francis Keenan, managing director of FK Group and Jim De Waele, managing director of Keller UK. Click here for the latest programme and CN readers can contact Ilja Ryndin on 020 3033 2609 or by email Ilja Ryndin@emap.com to secure a discounted delegate rate. Source link
The residential real estate market in Dubai maintained its stability in the year to April 2016, despite prices falling, according to the latest analysis report on the emirate. Despite a 9% year on year drop across the mainstream market, the General REIDIN sale price index remained relatively flat on a monthly basis, with no noticeable changes in the performance of both apartments and villas, says the report. Dubai’s prime market continued to outperform the market average with the prime price index down 5% in the 12 months to April 2016 compared to the previous 12 month period, the report from international real estate firm Knight Frank. It says that it is encouraging that prices in the prime segment increased 2% on a quarterly basis between the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016. The performance of prime apartments outweighed that of villas, with the index pointing to a 2% quarterly increase over the same period. In turn, prime villas recorded no significant price change. The Knight Frank report also says that a number of factors have supported this regulation in prices and are set to support the return of confidence to the market including the government commitment to infrastructure spending. It points out that while it is too soon to estimate the impact of the Expo 2020 on the residential sector, continued government spending on infrastructure projects geared towards the event such as Route Metro 2020 and Dubai Parks & Resorts will promote confidence in the market and is expected to draw further inward capital. There is also likely to be some control of supply as there is a general consensus among developers of the need to phase out residential projects in line with demand and strong liquidity with the residential real estate market in Dubai continuing to attract capital from strong liquid markets such as Saudi Arabia and India, two of the traditionally top buyers of real estate in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, sale prices remained relatively stable on the back of a shortage in quality residential supply with the General REIDIN sale price index recording a 1% increase year on year in the first quarter of 2016. The report says that while demand has declined on the back of corporate restructuring and cutbacks in government spending, this has been balanced by a slowdown in the delivery of projects, thus keeping the market steady. ‘Looking ahead, the residential market in the UAE is expected to soften over the second half of the year. While it’s difficult to predict when the next growth cycle will be, we expect the residential market to level out by the end of 2016 before seeing gradual recovery in 2017. We expect prime residential properties will continue to outperform the market average in the short to medium term,’ the report says. ‘We expect Dubai to continue attracting investments both regionally and globally. However the outlook for the emirate in general and the real estate sector in particular depends on a number of fundamentals,’ it explains. ‘Further volatility in oil prices, the European Union referendum in the UK, the US presidential elections in November and ongoing geopolitical tensions are likely to impact the behaviour of currencies, investor sentiment, and demand for property,’ it concludes. Source link
Furness BS announces two new variable rate mortgages Furness Building Society has announced today that it has launched two variable rate products at 90% LTV, aimed at those taking their first step onto the property ladder. The new products carry a pay rate of 1.99% for two years (with a £1,499 fee) and 2.45% for three years (with a £999 fee) and are available for both purchase and remortgage cases, with a free legal package on remortgages. Both products start with a 2% early repayment charge which then drops to 1% in the final year of the products life. Sue Heron, Furness Building Society’s Marketing and Sales Director, commented on the launch: “We are delighted with the launch of these new products which we feel will especially appeal to those looking to get on that first step of the property ladder. One of the benefits of recommending Furness Building Society is that we do not use credit scoring to assess applications. Every case is looked at individually by an experienced underwriter, by working in this way we are able to apply some flexibility in our decision making.” Source link
A number of new Higher Education courses are springing up in the UK with one common feature – they are all appealing to a more diverse range of applicants. And with a need to encourage more women and under-represented groups into engineering these new courses are very welcome. This free one day workshop organised by the Women’s Engineering Society will take place on 18 October at the Warwick Manufacturing Centre and will look at these various new models of engineering education. Our speakers will explore the different courses and ideas that are currently in the planning with a view to sharing best practice and creating a new type of inclusive engineering education. Registration is required. Please click here. Programme 10.00-10.30: Registration, Coffee & Tea 10.30-10.40: Welcome & Introduction 10.40-12.15: Session 1: New Courses in Engineering Education •Keynote: The Accelerated Integrated Masters Liberal Engineer Degree (AIMLED) – a new approach to Engineering Education •Karen Usher – co-project Leader, NMiTE, Hereford •Electronic Engineering •Dr Stefanie Kuenzel – Royal Holloway •Humanitarian Engineering •Georgia Kremmyda – civil engineering degree leader, Warwick University 12.15-13.00: Lunch 13:00-14.15:Session 2: New Concepts in Engineering Education •Big Ideas for Education •Peter Finegold – Institution of Mechanical Engineering •Integrated and Inclusive Mathematics in an Engineering Curriculum •Carol Morris – Deputy head of school of engineering and innovation, Open University •Women Into Engineering Courses •Douglas Morrison – curriculum head, STEM Industry Academies, City of Glasgow College 14.15-14.45: Coffee & Tea 14.45-16:15:Session 3: Inclusion in Engineering Education •The Emotional Rescue of Engineering Education: A Practical, Engaging Approach to Transformative Change •David E. Goldberg – president, Big Beacon •Tools for Teams to Improve Inclusion •Dr Jan Peters – director, Katalytic •Inclusive Engineering: a New Module for Undergraduates •Dawn Bonfield – CEO, Women’s Engineering Society 16:15-16:30: Closing remarks You may also be interested in watching this video:http://letmedoitmovie.com/ For further details or to be included in the programme please contact Benjamin Palmer, WES Events Manager on events@wes.org.uk. We thank the Warwick Manufacturing Group for the use of its venue. Source link
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Aug 31st 2016 Glazing systems by Kawneer feature on the new Cardiff and Vale College. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday A multi award-winning building dubbed “the future of further education” in Wales features glazed elements by leading architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer. The new £45 million Cardiff and Vale College uses Kawneer’s zone-drained AA®100 and AA®110 curtain walling, with 50 and 65mm sightlines respectively, with AA®541 top-hung casement windows and mullion-drained AA®100 curtain walling as a bespoke atrium rooflight. The 16,000m2 building in the city centre brings together many of the college’s activities onto a single campus and creates a real-life environment for skills training with open and welcoming faculty clusters set around a public route through the heart of the college. Its distinctive wedge shape connects the interior spaces to south-facing terraces with views towards Cardiff Bay. The oversailing roof is angled to accommodate a 1,850m2 photovoltaic array, one of the largest in the UK, and The Classroom – a fine dining sky restaurant located under the northernmost tip with views across the city towards the Millennium Stadium. The landmark building designed by BDP features 130 teaching rooms including specialist labs, workshops, IT studios and two vast learning and skills centres comprising a conference centre, theatre, gym, Urbasba beauty salon and spa, and shops, all of which are open to the public seven days a week. It is home to 4,000 students studying across 200 different courses with thousands more engaged through the year on short courses, employer training and apprenticeships. It was officially opened in October 2015 by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and Minister for Education and Skills Huw Lewis. The First Minister said: “This is what the future of further education looks like in Wales. This new city centre campus is truly an inspirational building which will give learners in Wales access to a wide-ranging, flexible curriculum in a world-class learning environment.” The Education Minister added: ‘This is yet another example of the Welsh government investing in exceptional education facilities for our learners. Modern and vibrant, this new college is providing a learning environment for the 21st Century. It will inspire its students while benefiting the local community long into the future.” Believed to have been the largest construction project in Cardiff at the time, the college was built on former industrial land south of the city’s central station by main contractor Willmott Dixon, with the Kawneer elements installed by approved specialist manufacturer and installer AB Glass. Backed by a £20 million Welsh Government grant, it was formed after the merger of Barry College and Coleg Glan Hafren as part of the government’s bid to transform post-16 education and training in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Cardiff and Vale College has won two awards to date – a RIBA Regional Award 2016 and a RICS Regional Award (Design through Innovation) 2016. To watch the college launch video please go to http://www.cavc.ac.uk/en/contact-us/sites/city-centre-campus/. ENDS Photo: Gareth Gardner Source link
Plasterboard manufacturer Knauf has expanded its manufacturing facilities in Immingham on the back of rising demand in the UK and Ireland. Above: Knauf’s Immingham plant Knauf, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of lightweight building materials and systems, has upgraded its production line allowing for a substantial increase in productivity. It said that its Immingham plant was now ‘the longest and fastest plasterboard plant in the UK’. It is also now one of the largest producers of all types of plasterboards in Europe, alongside Knauf’s Poland plant, the family-owned company said. This is the third upgrade in the plant’s 25 year history, following improvements in 1998 and 2005. Immingham plant manager Paul Snowden said that the upgrade had come just as UK production was approaching capacity. “I think that this investment is a fantastic achievement for the plant in Immingham, the fact that Knauf continue to invest here is a great advertisement for the plant and we are pleased to now be the longest and fastest plant in the UK,” Mr Snowden said. “We have been planning this upgrade for a long time and it has taken us three years to find the perfect solution to suit our needs. With plasterboard, a longer line means you can run faster.” Knauf was founded in 1932 by the German brothers Karl and Alfons Knauf. Today it is run by their sons, Baldwin and Nikolaus Knauf, This article was published on 31 Mar 2016 (last updated on 31 Mar 2016). Source link
Workers in the road construction and excavations industry constantly face hazards throughout their working day and many unfortunately become victims of accidents. However, recent years have seen an increase in many safety measures such as detailed site inspections, wearing high visibility clothing and the use of barriers around open trenches. Road Construction Due to the use of generators and improved lighting, road construction has seen an emphasis on work being carried out at night in areas where there are usually high volumes of traffic during daylight hours. This enables the use of large machinery without hindering the traffic and reduces the risk of injury to the workers. Road repair often has to deal with the hazard of speeding traffic in addition to workers being constantly aware of where excavating machinery is operating. Common injuries include being hit by vehicles, becoming trapped between machines or being struck as an excavator truck overturns. The weather can also play a part with heavy rain, fog and ice can contributing to poor working conditions. Excavations Deep excavations are particularly hazardous if the sides are not securely fixed. Safety requirements insist on regular inspections being carried out at the beginning and end of each working day and work should never begin until any necessary maintenance to the safety structures has been carried out. Landslips of unstable earth piled too near an excavation can bury workers and the edges of a large hole can sometimes not bear the weight of machinery causing it to overturn. Before any work begins in an area, detailed site analysis should take place to determine the type of soil and predict the effect of the weather, for instance, heavy rain causing instability. The locations of underground obstacles have to be clearly mapped to prevent damage to the services and to prevent accidents from a build up of gas or the danger of electrocution. Natural hazards such as underground streams must also be located before work can start. Safety Clothing One of the most significant improvements has been the introduction of high visibility clothing in yellow or orange material. With additional reflective panels, it gives a certain degree of visibility even in foggy conditions. Some materials are coated to create a water resistant surface to make working in bad weather more comfortable. Footwear, including waterproofed boots, has been redesigned with improved heavy duty soles that are resistant to hazardous substances and metal toe caps. The enforced wearing of hard safety helmets in particular has contributed to reducing the severity of on site accidents. These are adapted to suit particular working areas, such as including secure chin straps for working at height. For severe cold weather, thermal linings are available to wear inside the safety helmets. Barriers To protect not only workers, but members of the public, from falling into excavations, secure barriers and guard rails should be placed that are clearly visible and not causing any unnecessary obstruction. Steel road plates, or trench sheets, can be used to cover open excavations. Heavyweight fluorescent bollards and warning lights, which are particularly useful in fog, are used to help prevent vehicles driving into the lanes that are under construction.
Where Has This Menace Come From? Mould is a type of fungus. It is difficult to say from where it comes. But one thing is certain. Mould thrives in a damp, humid atmosphere. And because mould in the house is very dangerous for both the house and its occupants, it is better to eliminate it as soon as possible. What Are The Dangers Of Mould? The role of the pest we call mould is destruction. That’s fine in the wild where there are corpses to decompose. But in the everyday world, we can do without the destruction of our beloved books, clothes and antiques.Exposure to mould causes, at the very least, an allergic reaction in humans. At worst, it can cause black mould poisoning, which can be quite dangerous, especially for the very young and the very old. Symptoms include headaches, rashes and respiratory ailments. We owe it to ourselves and our families to keep our living spaces clean and mould free. Especially in places like bathrooms, which are constantly wet and in which ventilation is often a lot less than it should be. How To Launch An Attack On Mould Attacking the mould problem takes some strategy. In order to keep our homes and families mould free, there are certain measures we can take. Firstly, we should ensure that our homes and living spaces are well ventilated. Secondly, we should be doubly sure of ventilation in the cases of areas which are prone to dampness, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Burst pipes and leakage must be dealt with promptly. Houses which have experienced flooding need special care. Mould can be removed using a solution of bleach and water. But please remember, that when using bleach to clean away mould, it is important to protect the skin and eyes.Or look for non-chemical solutions to banish the dreaded mould. And remember, if the problem is beyond you, call the specialists in. They will remove the mould and advise you how to keep your home mould free in future. Mould removal services are available in most cities and are a great help when nothing else works. Home Remedies Calling in professional services is something that people often do as a method of last resort when the problem is out of control. But not everyone needs to do that. In many cases, the mould can be contained by the householder. An effective mould remover and constant vigilance after mould removal is often all that’s needed. Also, if the idea of using bleach as a house cleaner doesn’t appeal to you, there are other substances which are not as dangerous. They can do the job just as well. Vinegar is one substance which is very effective against mould and not at all dangerous for humans. Another is tea tree oil. Finally Mould Free Finally, the dreaded pest which we call mould is banished and your house is mould free. What a relief. You can live in peace again. And provided you make sure that all areas of your house are kept damp free and well ventilated, your house should stay mould free in the future. Your family members will thank you for it, as they will be leading happier, healthier lives.
A multi-disciplinary construction consultancy is set to breathe life into one of Britain’s oldest surviving purpose-built cinemas after it scooped a huge £653,000 lottery grant. Colchester-based Daniel Connal Partnership will work with Ipswich-based Nicholas Jacob Architects to restore The Electric Palace cinema, Harwich, as part of an ambitious nine-month project. The firm will start work on the development, which boasts a silent screen, original projection room and ornamental frontage, in June. Daniel Connal Partnership, who have considerable experience working on successful heritage lottery projects, will act as quantity surveyors on this project. Project lead Paul Coleman and associate at Daniel Connal Partnership, said: “Securing this level of funding is a major step forward in restoring the fabric of the building and breathing new life into the site. “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting project, continuing our long relationship with NJ Architects, and helping to ensure the future of this landmark building in historic Harwich.” Shaun Soanes, the architectural lead on the project, said: “This is a building of national significance in the history of cinema in the UK and we are thrilled to have been contracted to play such an important role in its preservation and restoration. “This lottery grant will allow this important building to be preserved for generations to come.” The Electric Palace cinema was built in 18 weeks at a cost of £1,500 and opened in 1911 with a screening of the black and white film Battle of Trafalgar and The Death of Nelson. Designed by architect Harold Hooper and developed by Charles Thurston, a travelling showman, the venue, in Kings Quay Street, ran successfully for 45 years, closing only briefly in 1953 due to flooding. It was shut in 1956 however and left derelict until it was ‘rediscovered’ in 1972. Since then members of the Electric Palace Trust and volunteers have managed – and continue to work – to protect the building and this is recognised by the cinema’s status as a Grade II* listed building. The venue was officially re-opened in 1981 and, thanks to a minor refurbishment in 1985, it now runs as a community cinema which shows films every weekend as well as special live and music events. David Looser, chairman of the Electric Palace Trust said the lottery funding would allow the trustees to undertake essential conservation work to strengthen the ceiling of the building, redecorate the auditorium, refurbish the seats and toilets, replace electrical switchgear, enlarge the stage and enhance security. “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players,” he said. “This will enable us not only to do the work necessary to keep the Electric Palace operating for the foreseeable future but also to expand our range of activities.” The palace trust announced the Heritage Lottery Fund grant this week, which follows £51,000 from the same fund last January. But the trust’s own appeal to raise £60,000 towards the work needed is still ongoing. Chris Strachan, Electric Palace Trust trustee, said: “There is an expectation we will provide our own funds that amount to 10 per cent of that sum.” To donate to the trust’s appeal for funds, use sort code 40-19-43 and account number 81379224 and reference HEPT Roof Appeal.
The Financial Controller of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Limited, Steve Richards, has completed a mammoth cycle tour and marathon that aimed to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. He cycled 420 miles from Pontefract to Paris for two days and participated in the Paris Marathon the following day. On days four and five, together with 12 other fundraisers, he cycled back home. By the end of his five-day journey, Steve had covered almost 700 miles on two wheels, and 26.2 miles on foot. Collectively, the whole team cycled approximately 8,400 miles and ran nearly 160 miles. In order to be able to finish the cycle ride and the marathon, Steve, just like the rest of the team, trained hard in some of the worst weather seen in years. Despite that, the team maintained excellent morale and the goal to meet the £10,000 fundraising target kept them motivated throughout. “In the past I have done four Ironman races and I’ve ridden from Land’s End to John O’Groats but this was undoubtedly the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The final day was a true test of endurance as we were already so fatigued from both physical exertion and sleep deprivation, but we kept each other’s spirits up in the knowledge that we had beaten our fundraising target along the way,” said Steve. Sustainable Building Services, as well as the sister company PermaRock Products, pledged £250. Overall, the team raised over £12,000, but they want to raise even more. If anyone is wishing to support the team’s fundraising efforts, they can do so by visit their JustGiving website: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-strutt3. The Sustainable Group (UK) Limited has offices in the North West, North Wales and the East Midlands, offering services such as new build, roofing, insulation, cyclical maintenance and the management of all related trades. Sustainable Building Services’ registrations and accreditations include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, 18001, Safe Contractor, Constructionline and Investors In People amongst others.