Fire-risk boiler highlights need for gas safety Published: 19 September, 2016 In support of Gas Safety Week, which takes place from 19 to 25 September, Ravenheat is urging members of the public to become more aware of gas safety in their homes. James Winyard, a Tamworth-based installer, attended to his
Ten years on, Falcon Crane Hire Ltd has been fined £750,000 and ordered to pay costs of £100,000 for safety breaches that led to a tower crane falling over in London and killing two men. Southwark Crown Court heard that crane operator Jonathan Cloke, 37, died after falling from the
Scottish Water has installed one thousand solar panels at a major water treatment works serving Edinburgh and parts of West Lothian – continuing its move towards generating more of its energy from renewable sources. Project manager John Sammon and general manager Chris Toop for Scottish Water’s energy programme
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Sep 20th 2016 ROCKFON were appointed to provide acoustic ceiling solutions for a major refurbishment programme for the British Army Reserve. The British Army Reserve is the largest of the Reserve Forces in the UK with around
Thirteen civil engineering contractors have signed a £96m highway maintenance framework with the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO). NEPO, which represents 12 local authorities in the northeast, has put together the four-year framework in partnership with the North East Highways Alliance. The collaborative agreement, which was led on behalf of
When we think of all the technology advancements that were introduced through the innovative and futuristic thinking of architects, engineers and surveyors, it’s perhaps ironic that the industry itself has been a slow adopter of strategic digitalisation. According to KPMG’s 2017 global survey, 72% of engineering and construction executives stated
The windows supplied by the leading UK architectural glazing systems supplier, Kawneer, have helped meet a host of complex criteria for the UK’s first dedicated healthcare facility for adults with autism. The Mitford unit at Northgate Hospital in Morpeth, Northumberland, where fenestration was led by architectural glazing specialists Polar NE,
On site work on the £117 million Campbell Wharf development in Milton Keynes has commenced. The residential-led mixed use scheme includes 383 new homes, a narrowboat marina, public house, nursery and a mix of retail units and is set to transform and revitalise a much-underutilised part of Central Milton Keynes.
Independent Connections Provider (ICP) Matrix Networks has been contracted by developer Roxhill via main contractor Buckingham Group, to design and install the electrical services connection to bring the new £182m Gateway South commercial park in Coventry to life. The announcement follows hot on the heels of Matrix Networks’ successful completion
The McAvoy Group, one of the UK’s leading offsite construction specialists, has announced its expansion into the residential sector with the launch of a new modular solution for all housing tenures – affordable homes, market sale, build-to-rent, student accommodation, and emergency housing. Following extensive product development and collaboration with Queen’s
Fire-risk boiler highlights need for gas safety Published: 19 September, 2016 In support of Gas Safety Week, which takes place from 19 to 25 September, Ravenheat is urging members of the public to become more aware of gas safety in their homes. James Winyard, a Tamworth-based installer, attended to his grandfather’s boiler earlier this year. He found the insulation panels had failed and identified the 20-year-old boiler as a fire risk in its present state. He installed a more efficient Ravenheat CS80 combi boiler in its place. Not only has the new boiler ensured the safety of the property, but it has also considerably reduced utility bills. His grandfather was previously paying as much as £70 a week into his prepaid card meter during winter – considerably higher than the seasonal yearly average of £1,137 a year. Shortly after the installation, he was paying just £19 a week. Mr Winyard, a Gas Safe-Registered heating engineer, said: “My grandad’s boiler was a potential accident waiting to happen, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for people to have their appliances serviced annually. The CS80 is a good boiler for a very competitive price – the expense of fitting a new boiler shouldn’t deter people from making their homes safer and more energy efficient.” Source link
Ten years on, Falcon Crane Hire Ltd has been fined £750,000 and ordered to pay costs of £100,000 for safety breaches that led to a tower crane falling over in London and killing two men. Southwark Crown Court heard that crane operator Jonathan Cloke, 37, died after falling from the crane as it collapsed. It fell onto Michael Alexa, 23, a member of the public, and also killed him. The court heard how sections of the tower crane, which was on a housing development in Thessaly Road, Battersea, separated when 24 slew ring bolts failed due to metal fatigue. When the bolts failed the slew turret and jib separated from the mast and fell to the ground. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident, which happened way back in September 2006, found that Falcon Crane Hire Ltd had failed to investigate a similar incident that had happened just nine weeks before, when the bolts failed on the same crane and had to be replaced. The HSE found that Falcon had an inadequate system to manage the inspection and maintenance of their fleet of cranes. Their process to investigate the underlying cause of components’ failings was also inadequate. It told the court the particular bolts were a safety critical part of the crane. The court also heard the bolts failing previously was an exceptional and significant occurrence, which should have been recognised by Falcon Crane Hire. HSE head of operations Mike Wilcock said: “Jonathan and Michael’s deaths were tragic, needless and entirely avoidable. These two men need not have died had Falcon Crane Hire taken the right, decisive action when the bolts failed the first time. The company fell far short of its health and safety obligation.” This article was published on 16 Mar 2016 (last updated on 16 Mar 2016). Source link
Scottish Water has installed one thousand solar panels at a major water treatment works serving Edinburgh and parts of West Lothian – continuing its move towards generating more of its energy from renewable sources. Project manager John Sammon and general manager Chris Toop for Scottish Water’s energy programme A quarter of the energy required at Marchbank Water Treatment Works near Balerno, which serves 68,000 properties, is now provided by the solar panels. The solar panels are capable of generating 0.2GWh of electricity per annum. The treatment works currently produces 40 mega litres of water per day – enough to fill 16 Olympic swimming pools. This means that 17,000 properties in parts of western and Southern Edinburgh and areas of West Lothian now receive drinking water which has been treated thanks to the power of the sun. It is the latest energy project delivered by Scottish Water Horizons, a subsidiary of the public utility, which supports the development of a sustainable economy in Scotland. Chris Toop, General Manager for Scottish Water’s energy programme, said: “Every day, Scottish Water provides our customers with a massive 1.34 billion litres of drinking water and then treats over 840 million litres of waste water. This means we currently need around 440GWh of electricity annually around Scotland – more than is likely to be needed by the entire of population of West Lothian. “Electricity, as any consumer will know, can be expensive and that’s why Scottish Water has been working to reduce the amount of energy that we need to purchase. “Installing solar panels is therefore fantastic news for our customers. It’s one of the ways in which we can help to keep our customer charges lower than the UK average, while aspiring to deliver ever better service.” In the last two years, Scottish Water has doubled the amount of renewable energy which can be generated at treatment works and in water mains to over 50GWh. It has 27 hydro turbines as well as several wind and photovoltaic schemes. Energy is also extracted from sewage sludge, reducing transport of materials off-site and increasing the environmental sustainability of the company’s operations. More than 4,000 smart meters have been installed to measure consumption and target opportunities to use less energy. The utility has reduced its base electricity consumption by over 5 per cent in the last five years, while carbon emissions have fallen by 18 per cent since 2006/07. Donald MacBrayne, Commercial Manager of Scottish Water Horizons, added: “This project is all part of our wider efforts to maximise the value of Scotland’s water resources and assets. “Through use of technologies such as solar panels and hydro turbines in pipes, several of our treatment works can now generate all – and in some cases more – of the energy they need to operate. This is helping to reduce our energy costs for the benefit of customers while contributing to renewable energy targets.” This article first appeared in Utility Week’s sister title WWTonline Source link
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Sep 20th 2016 ROCKFON were appointed to provide acoustic ceiling solutions for a major refurbishment programme for the British Army Reserve. The British Army Reserve is the largest of the Reserve Forces in the UK with around 30,000 trained soldiers. ROCKFON outperformed its competitors on both aesthetics and acoustic performance to help revitalise army centres across the north east. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday The ROCKFON Blanka® dB42 ceiling was chosen to provide outstanding acoustic control in the drill hall. Local contractor Jason Frank from Decke (Newcastle) Ltd fitted the ceilings at Debdon Army Reserve Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne and explains what was required: “The army wanted a highly sound absorbent ceiling to curb the level of reverberation to ensure speech can be heard and understood. The drill hall does not receive any natural light, and the bright white surface of ROCKFON Blanka helps improve the lighting conditions.”The drill hall is a large area of high activity. Regular drill practice takes place here with companies of up to 200 soldiers marching in response to drill commands which are characterised by their loud volume. The hall’s original interior was fitted with highly reverberant hard surfaces, which created an uncomfortable acoustic environment for the reservists. ROCKFON Blanka dB42 ceiling tiles are 40mm thick and offer Class A sound absorption. The ceiling’s high absorption controls the ambient sound level in the hall, preventing echo and increasing speech intelligibility. ROCKFON Blanka dB42 also offers high sound insulation, preventing noise generated in the hall from spreading to adjacent areas.Light diffusion and light reflection were also necessary requirements for the ceiling in the hall. To create a uniform and regular spread of light across the room, the ceiling had to provide the right combination of high light reflection and good light diffusion. ROCKFON Blanka tiles provide 99% light diffusion and an independently tested light reflection index above 87%, thanks to its specialist super-white coating sourced from the US space industry.Because of this unique coating, ROCKFON Blanka tiles have a smooth, matt finish that allows for easy installation. The tiles have no pattern which enables them to be installed in any direction, saving money and time, and reducing waste. Surface durability tests rate ROCKFON Blanka top of its class. The anti-static properties of the coating make ROCKFON Blanka resistant to site dust. The tiles are designed to be hard-wearing and can resist up to 100% relative humidity without losing their shape. To complement the ROCKFON stone wool tiles, the ceiling at Debdon was installed on Chicago Metallic T24 Click 2890 ceiling grid from ROCKFON. Made from galvanised steel, the 24mm grid is very strong and stable. It is fast and accurate to install thanks to a helpful audible ‘click’ which sounds when the components connect into position, enabling faster installation times on site. ROCKFON Blanka delivers all the unique stone wool performance characteristics you would expect from ROCKFON including outstanding acoustic performance and fire safety properties. ROCKFON Blanka tiles are produced from up to 42% recycled materials and are fully recyclable. When installed with Chicago Metallic® grid, the ceiling system has a 30-year warranty to ensure building owners a long product lifecycle.CCF Newcastle supplied the project with ROCKFON Blanka and Chicago Metallic grid. CCF stocks a wide range of ROCKFON ceiling solutions across all its branches in the UK.ROCKFON is well-known for providing an acoustic solution for any interior. To find out how ROCKFON can help you maximise the potential of your project, visit www.rockfon.co.uk or email info@rockfon.co.uk Source link
Thirteen civil engineering contractors have signed a £96m highway maintenance framework with the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO). NEPO, which represents 12 local authorities in the northeast, has put together the four-year framework in partnership with the North East Highways Alliance. The collaborative agreement, which was led on behalf of NEPO by Darlington Borough Council, covers 16 specialist lots ranging from standard carriageway resurfacing to road markings. A pipeline of works has been forecast from the local authorities planned maintenance programmes, worth £24m a year, with both direct awards and further competitions emerging in various package sizes. The contract will be delivered under the NEC3 Form of Contract and specific key performance indicators (KPIs) have been developed to deliver and monitor ‘social value’. The contractors are: Bardon Colas Hanson Henry Williams Jointline JPCS Kiely Bros Miles Macadam Northumbrian Roads Rainton Construction Road Techs Tarmac Textone Blast. Jeff Alexander, chair of Construction Alliance Northeast (CAN), an organisation which was recently formed to lobby for fairer procurement methods on behalf of its 500-plus SME member companies, welcomed the approach adopted by NEPO and Darlington Borough Council. He said: “It is encouraging to hear about the more collaborative approach to highways procurement which has been adopted in the case of this framework. By using local firms with local knowledge, it is possible to provide a greater range of value added benefits. This is not only good news for the client, but for the regional economy as a whole.” This article was published on 31 Mar 2016 (last updated on 31 Mar 2016). Source link
When we think of all the technology advancements that were introduced through the innovative and futuristic thinking of architects, engineers and surveyors, it’s perhaps ironic that the industry itself has been a slow adopter of strategic digitalisation. According to KPMG’s 2017 global survey, 72% of engineering and construction executives stated that technological innovation has a role in their vision. However, with less than half integrating a strategy, planning and the implementation of tech is certainly an area that needs more thought. While firms are undoubtedly optimistic about the potential of technology – with a greater push towards new approaches such as drones, 3-D printing and autonomous vehicles – some players in the industry are yet to make use of those tools which streamline or completely automate processes. This is something which I feel needs to be addressed in light of recent data from Mckinsey which revealed that large projects across sectors and asset classes are running behind schedule and up to 80% over budget. Tight and timely financial management may not be helped by the fact that many site offices rely on manual, paper-based procedures. Indeed, my conversations with clients suggests that a lack of information digitalisation can lead to inaccurate project cost forecasting with unaccounted contract labour fees arguably creating the greatest challenge. In fact, the KPMG survey revealed that out of all the technologies, project management information systems (PMIS) were considered to hold the greatest potential in delivering value, yet just one-fifth (20%) of firms have implemented a PMIS. So while high profile advanced technologies are taking centre stage – and admittedly serving their purpose – firms must also ensure that they are taking advantage of data analytics and implementing systems that can streamline processes, add value, and condense budgets. As Mckinsey’s research shows, a strong assortment of digital tools can reduce project costs by up to 45%. In particular, with the rapid rise of a contingent workforce on site, failing to ensure real-time visibility of project costs can have a significant impact on project performance that is only recognised after its conclusion. This all suggests that technology focussed construction firms can gain more immediate and substantive benefits from the digitalisation of project cost control before they look to the operational advantages of drones and robotics. By getting to grips with the key functionalities which harness a successful project from start to finish, rather than focusing solely on the latest advancements in high-tech machinery, companies will reap long-term rewards. As construction projects continue to grow in scale and inevitably become more complex, the need to integrate technology across the entire construction management remit is arguably more important than ever. Drey Francis is Director at VMS and Recruitment Agency Back Office supplier, Engage.
The windows supplied by the leading UK architectural glazing systems supplier, Kawneer, have helped meet a host of complex criteria for the UK’s first dedicated healthcare facility for adults with autism. The Mitford unit at Northgate Hospital in Morpeth, Northumberland, where fenestration was led by architectural glazing specialists Polar NE, uses a variety of Kawneer window and framing systems including a bespoke secure healthcare window specially fabricated for the £10 million project. This specialist window – based on the Kawneer AA®3110HW horizontal slider – has been used in the bedrooms and some communal areas alongside Kawneer’s AA®540 fixed casements in corridors, AA®541 top-hung casements in offices and reception, and 451PT framing in communal areas and corridors. Supplied in moss grey (RAL 7003), they were specified by Medical Architecture in conjunction with Kawneer dealer Polar who had a team of two specialist installers on site for 11 months. “Mental health inpatient windows are a very specialist product and we have developed designs with one of the few manufacturers/fabricators over a period of 11 years. Polar chose Kawneer’s AA®3110HW system components as a basis and we adapted the successful design to the particular needs of the autism unit,” said Medical Architecture director Paul Yeomans. The new BREEAM “Excellent” Mitford unit for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust provides 24-hour inpatient support and treatment for up to 15 adults with severely complex autistic spectrum disorders. Built by Kier under ProCure21+, the accommodation comprises eight single-person and two and three-person shared flats within four fingers of accommodation linked at their southern end by a band of shared spaces interspersed with staff facilities. Patients typically stay 18 months to two years, during which time individual stimuli and appropriate therapies are used before they return to the community. The trust’s key objectives included incorporating best practice from around the world and becoming a leading-edge national autism service, enhancing the facilities for research and development to provide a national centre of excellence, and building a sustainable commercial model to ensure the capital costs of the building were recuperated over an eight-year period.
On site work on the £117 million Campbell Wharf development in Milton Keynes has commenced. The residential-led mixed use scheme includes 383 new homes, a narrowboat marina, public house, nursery and a mix of retail units and is set to transform and revitalise a much-underutilised part of Central Milton Keynes. Once it approaches completion, the development will deliver 332 one and two-bedroom apartments and 51 three, four and five-bedroom houses. Moreover, 30% of the properties on site have been reserved for shared ownership and affordable housing, in order to meet local housing needs in the community. “We are pleased to have cemented our agreement with the Milton Keynes Development Partnership and look forward to working together on this significant development. Once complete the scheme will provide a new gateway from the Canal to Central Milton Keynes and deliver much needed new homes to the area,” said Scott Black, Managing Director at Crest Nicholson. Located on the eastern edge of Central Milton Keynes with easy access to both Milton Keynes Central Station and the M1, the site is divided into two distinct areas by the Grand Union Canal. The 8.15 ha site will also include a new marina on the Grand Union Canal, providing 111 berths, a canal-side pub, café, restaurant and a new footbridge linking the two sides of the canal. “As our city continues to grow, MKDP is committed to playing its part in helping to create well-designed, vibrant & affordable new communities in partnership with a range of local developers. As part of the Campbell Wharf development, MKDP and the developer Crest Nicholson will be creating 115 affordable new homes, a new 111 berth marina alongside the city’s renowned Grand Union Canal, and importantly, will be contributing towards the cost of upgrading the infrastructure of our city centre,” commented Councillor Rob Middleton, Cabinet Member responsible for Resources and Innovation. The new marina is expected to open in April 2019, while the first residential dwellings on site will be occupied in October 2019. The development is expected to be fully completed by 2023.
Independent Connections Provider (ICP) Matrix Networks has been contracted by developer Roxhill via main contractor Buckingham Group, to design and install the electrical services connection to bring the new £182m Gateway South commercial park in Coventry to life. The announcement follows hot on the heels of Matrix Networks’ successful completion of the multi-utility infrastructure works for the prestigious SEGRO Logistics Park – East Midlands Gateway in Leicestershire last month, also for Roxhill. With work already starting on site, the ICP’s brief is to design and build a Primary Substation to provide electricity on the 200-acre development which surrounds Coventry Airport. Matrix will be designing and installing electrical infrastructure to bring a 33kVa electrical supply into the Park, providing a load of 20MVA to power the commercial units located across both the northern and southern sections of the development. Commenting on the new contract, Matrix Networks Managing Director, Rob Sparkes, said: “Gateway South is more than a contract win, its repeat business from a valued client, with whom we’ve developed a positive, long-term relationship. “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate once again, how important collaborative working is for the successful delivery of utility infrastructure projects. And, over the next 12 months, our experienced team will work with Roxhill and their other development partners, to ensure we communicate, integrate and deliver ‘power on’ to bring Gateway South to life on time.” Previous contracts between Matrix Networks and Roxhill include Gateway Peterborough, a 180-acre distribution and manufacturing park at Junction 17 of the A1(M), and Kettering Gateway, a 90-acre business park with mixed use at Junction 10 of the A14. Martin Eckersall, Infrastructure Director, Roxhill added: “Cost and programme certainty are two of our most important considerations when procuring utility contracts. Matrix Networks has consistently provided this for us, over a significant period of time and I’m pleased to be working with them to deliver Gateway South.” Matrix Networks is an industrial and commercial multi-utility Independent Connections Provider (ICP), servicing UK developers, main contractors, and consultants. The Company is accredited under CHAS and Altius, as well as Lloyd’s Register WIRS, GIRS and NERS schemes. www.matrixnetworks.co.uk @matrix_networks
The McAvoy Group, one of the UK’s leading offsite construction specialists, has announced its expansion into the residential sector with the launch of a new modular solution for all housing tenures – affordable homes, market sale, build-to-rent, student accommodation, and emergency housing. Following extensive product development and collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast, McAvoy has developed a steel-framed offsite housing solution for multi-storey apartments, detached, semi-detached and terraced family homes. An entire house can be assembled in a single day – and from foundations to occupation in just seven days. According to a report published by Shelter, we need to build 250,000 new homes a year in the UK to keep up with demand – and yet only 163,000 new homes were delivered in 2017. There is a severe shortage of affordable homes and homelessness continues to increase year on year. There is a lack of skilled labour in construction, compounded by Brexit, and the building industry has a poor delivery record. In response, the Government has set a target to build 300,000 new homes annually by the mid 2020s and has pledged its support to increase the use of offsite construction. The McAvoy approach to housing will reduce programme times by at least 50 per cent compared to site-based construction. This will allow earlier occupation for public sector housing providers and generate a faster return on investment for private developers. It will use highly efficient and proven factory processes to deliver greater certainty of completion on time, on budget and to higher quality standards. According to Eugene Lynch, Managing Director of The McAvoy Group, “We have a proven track record, strong project management expertise and highly transferrable skills in the successful delivery of offsite solutions across a range of other sectors. These factors combined with our financial stability and pioneering work in digital construction technology, mean we are well placed to become a significant player in the provision of high quality family housing manufactured offsite.” “We are an established principal contractor offering a single source procurement solution which integrates the manufacture of homes in a quality-controlled factory environment, for the delivery of new housing to shorter programmes and to higher standards.” “We have ambitious plans for growth in the residential sector and have capacity already in place to meet demand using our highly skilled labour and flexible production facilities. We are also advancing plans to further expand capacity to meet the anticipated growth in demand.” Features of the new offsite housing solution engineered by McAvoy include: An innovative floor construction created using highly sustainable recycled material – an alternative to energy-intensive concrete – and offering excellent thermal performance and acoustic properties A highly flexible building system with a wide range of façade treatments, roof options and module configurations A roof module pre-tiled in the factory, which is safer, faster and avoids work at height and in poor weather conditions Bespoke housing designs can be developed and there is a library of standardised layouts to reduce design time for planning and cost BOPAS accreditation for reduced risk, and the assurance of durability for a 60-year design life to ensure mortgageability. McAvoy will work as principal contractor on its housing projects – taking responsibility for design, manufacture, fitting out, installation and external works. This will mean easier procurement, fewer management resources, greater cost efficiency, and improved quality control for developers and housing providers. For further information, visit http://www.mcavoygroup.com/sectors/housing/, call 028 8774 0372 or email info@mcavoygroup.com.
