Konecranes investigates the hoisting gears of the critical overhead cranes at the Palm paper factory, with Oil Analysis and Crane Reliability Study (CRS) Churning out corrugated base paper: The paper machine 6 (PM6) at the Palm paper factory in Wörth am Rhein, Germany, annually produces some 650,000 tons of the
Five-star lifestyle hotel Andaz London Liverpool Street, is launching a unique collaboration with world leading eco fashion duo VIN + OMI, to further the hotel’s sustainability efforts and support its vision to operate in an environmentally conscious way. This will be achieved through various creative initiatives to reuse and recycle
Bidwells’ latest analysis indicates Cambridgeshire remains a magnet for science and technology companies that are looking beyond the current Brexit uncertainty. Their analysis of the Cambridge office and laboratory market finds that 0.6 million sq ft of new space will be complete during the first half of 2019. This is the
National building and maintenance contractor, United Living, has appointed former Wates business director Michael Holling into a new role as operations director; covering both the North and Midlands regions. Michael brings with him 30 years of construction and maintenance knowledge, having previously worked at Wates since 1995. Throughout his career
A new building designed by London-based practice, Walters & Cohen Architects, has been opened at Newnham College, Cambridge. In 2014, Walters & Cohen won an architectural competition to design new accommodation for Newnham College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge. The original brief was to design
Saracen Interiors is now reaching the end of a substantial fit-out project for Global Technology company Carl Zeiss. The interiors company is transforming c. 43,000 sq. ft. of office space plus undertaking a range of external works at a site in Cambridgeshire to create a world-class lean manufacturing facility, including
The islands of Hawaii are like black pearls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Most people know that the place is the treasure chest of many natural wonders including black sand beaches, turquoise-colored ocean, waterfalls and chaotic yet beautiful volcanic eruptions. Little did people know that the island-state is
The reason why most people add a single story extension is to create an extra space where you can spend leisure time. Moreover, such extensions also create room for natural light and give you plenty of space which you can use for decoration. However, what you need to understand is
Regardless of whether the building is a commercial one or a house with a unique flat roof, most people know that flat roofs require more maintenance than standard pitched roofs. While it can be easier to build, the flat roof requires more inspections and maintenance to ensure everything functions correctly.
Anyone involved in the construction industry knows how vital access to key building supplies is. These common materials and products are literally the foundations of any house or building that is constructed. Without them, the whole industry would grind to a halt and the fabulous structures that we can erect
Konecranes investigates the hoisting gears of the critical overhead cranes at the Palm paper factory, with Oil Analysis and Crane Reliability Study (CRS) Churning out corrugated base paper: The paper machine 6 (PM6) at the Palm paper factory in Wörth am Rhein, Germany, annually produces some 650,000 tons of the versatile packaging raw material with surface weights of up to 160 g/m2. In order to safely transport these huge paper rolls day and night, the double-girder bridge cranes inside the factory must always function flawlessly. For this reason, Konecranes has closely analyzed the gear oil of the cranes and used the endoscope to look deep inside the gears. Paper remains one of the most important resources for the economy: According to the association of German paper factories, the paper industry sold approximately 23 million tons of paper, cardboard and paperboard in 2017 – up 1.4 percent from 2016. The packaging industry is especially hungry for paper. Sales in this sector increased by 3.4 percent last year alone. This is the area of operation for the paper machine 6 (PM6) at the Palm paper factory in Wörth am Rhein. The 650,000 tons of corrugated base paper it produces each year is handled at various stages by eleven double girder overhead cranes, all playing their own crucial role in the paper production on PM6. In order to safely transport these large paper rolls day and night, the hoisting gears of the eleven cranes inside the factory must always be in top operating condition. For this reason, Palm has asked Konecranes to look at eight of its most critical cranes. Following the results of the oil analysis and subsequent endoscopic investigation, the maintenance experts identified a significant risk to future production and replaced one of the hoisting gears completely. Record paper machine produces around the clock At the Palm paper factory, located in Aalen in Baden-Württemberg, everything circles around recovered paper. Nine paper machines in five factories annually produce approximately 2.2 million tons of newsprint and corrugated base paper. The paper production continues around the clock. Correspondingly high are the demands from the eleven double-girder bridge cranes that have been in use in the factory in Wörth am Rhein since the start of production in 2002. Collectively, they handle and store the completed paper rolls that weigh many tons. “The cranes are in use day and night,” says Sven Bohrer, electrical engineer at the Palm paper factory. “If one should break one day, the production would have to stop, or at least greatly slow down, until the problem is solved. This would cost us time and money.” For this reason, Konecranes has closely investigated the gear oil of the hoisting gears of eight of the eleven double-girder bridge cranes at Palm. Because you can look deep inside the oil, the wear metals and waste substances it contains make it possible to draw conclusions about the state of the entire gear. Nico Zamzow, Vice President Industrial Service EMEA Central at Konecranes, comments on the method: “The oil analysis protects the crane. Any damage can be identified and treated early with its help. Moreover, system operators are able to optimize the maintenance and servicing of the cranes thanks to the detailed analysis report, and thus significantly increase their lifespan.” For the oil analysis at Palm, Konecranes experts took samples from the hoisting gears of the eight double-girder bridge cranes. “The samples are analyzed by our laboratory, which specializes in industrial drive train analysis. Here, the lab staff compares the current state of the oil with the samples taken in 2016 and against the OEM design limits,” says Nico Zamzow. “This way, we also use trend analysis to provide the best possible picture of any change within the condition of the gearbox.” The result for Palm: Seven of the eight cranes were found to be “healthy”, as in the gear oil contained few to no foreign elements or waste substances indicating contamination or wear. However, the gear oil of the automated number 5 crane, used in the roll warehouse, was found to have a noticeable increase in its wear partial count, triggering the lab to issue a “Caution” notification on the analysis report. Nico Zamzow: “Iron particles in the oil can be an indication of increased wear and a deeper look may be required for this particular hoist”. Crane Reliability Study has the solution If the reason for the wear is not clearly identified and removed, the gear may be permanently damaged. “If the gear is jammed while there is a roll on the hook, it becomes very difficult to recover it and repair the crane,” explains Nico Zamzow. In order to determine whether there is already damage, the Konecranes experts used the Crane Reliability Study (CRS). The modular analysis allows them to check safety-relevant components, such as the hoisting gear as well as the steel structure, the motors, and the electrical equipment of the crane. In addition, the maintenance experts pose questions to crane drivers and technicians. The analysis result flows into a detailed report for crane owners – with concrete recommendations for action. In the case of Palm, Konecranes used a high-definition video endoscope to investigate the hoisting gear. “Just like in medicine, we use the endoscope to reach inaccessible places without having to dismantle the entire gear,” says Nico Zamzow. “For the CRS, we use a special, oil-resistant model that was developed for industrial use and can be fitted with different lenses.” Following the endoscopic investigation, the Konecranes service experts are certain: The hoisting gear must be replaced. In addition, the cable drum, the cable drum support, the slip-ring unit, the cylinder coupling, and the motor coupling must be renewed. “Thanks to discovering the wear early on, there was no risk to safety and we were able to replace the old gear with a new one without affecting production,” explains Nico Zamzow. “The benefits of Oil analysis as a predictive maintenance tool for identifying problems early on is proven to minimize
Five-star lifestyle hotel Andaz London Liverpool Street, is launching a unique collaboration with world leading eco fashion duo VIN + OMI, to further the hotel’s sustainability efforts and support its vision to operate in an environmentally conscious way. This will be achieved through various creative initiatives to reuse and recycle waste. VIN + OMI are well known for their innovative approach to eco-fashion and have received international acclaim for their sustainable practices and circular social impact projects. Their clothing is regularly seen on global icons and influencers such as Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga and Beyonce. They have been working with Andaz London Liverpool Street since 2016 and have hosted a number of their eco fashion shows at the hotel. ”We are proud to have a long term relationship with the Andaz London. Choosing a partner venue for our shows is a carefully thought out process. The Andaz’s creative and eco approach makes them a perfect partner” said VIN+OMI. Over the last couple of years, Andaz London Liverpool Street has been active in making daily changes to operational procedures, from energy saving practices to the elimination of plastic and the reduction of food waste, transitioning to more sustainable processes and biodegradable alternatives. In 2018, Andaz London Liverpool Street was also awarded for its efforts by the Association of Energy Engineers for their Monitor & Save project. This was achieved on the back of their Western Europe Region Energy Project, which kicked off in 2016 and, within a year, saved 21% of electricity and 27.1% of gas consumption. 2019 will see the implementation of a number of environmentally-conscious procedures and the hotel will encourage guests and staff to become more aware and sustainable. The collaboration with VIN + OMI is another step to introduce a ‘green’ mindset all around. “We love VIN+OMI’s passion for sustainability and the incredible creativity they bring to address environmental issues. We feel they are the perfect partner to support the hotel in its mission to become more sustainable. Through this collaboration, we aim to raise more awareness of the issue and educate our team and guests in reducing waste, focusing on small steps every day across all areas of the business,” said Amanda Richter, Director of Food & Beverage at Andaz London Liverpool Street.
Bidwells’ latest analysis indicates Cambridgeshire remains a magnet for science and technology companies that are looking beyond the current Brexit uncertainty. Their analysis of the Cambridge office and laboratory market finds that 0.6 million sq ft of new space will be complete during the first half of 2019. This is the highest level of new supply in over a decade. This perhaps sounds alarm bells given the apparent slowdown in demand for labs and offices combined to 1.154 million sq ft at the end of 2018. However, despite Brexit fears, the UK’s BioTech sector continues to thrive and Cambridge has been at the centre of growth in the UK’s BioTech sector over the past five years. Investment in the city continued to flood into industry, with £1.6bn raised in the first eight months of 2018, already 33% ahead of the figure raised over the whole of 2017. University of Cambridge tops the list of capital raised by spin out companies as research undertaken by Global University Venturing has revealed that the University of Cambridge has raised the greatest capital investment from its spinout companies amongst the world’s universities. Between 2013-17, spinouts from the University of Cambridge raised £1.75bn, 20% more than the second place Stanford University £1.43bn. University of Cambridge Enterprise reported a further £300m investment to 16 spinouts in 2018, although the final year figure is expected to be in excess of this figure. New Digital Strategy for Cambridge funded by CPCA Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority has provided initial funding to Cambridge Wireless and Anglia Ruskin University to develop an integrated and impartial digital strategy, helping to promote the region’s strong technology sector. Cambridge already has a significant representation in the growing Artificial Intelligence sector, with Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, ARM and Samsung all having AI research teams based in the city. According to Bidwells’ data, 85% of space is pre-let or already under offer. This, in theory, leaves a total of 91,000 sq ft available during 2019 with an expectation of more than 50% of space to be let shortly after practical completion. This pre-letting activity, combined with a slight increase in take-up in 2018 compared with 2017, underpinned a further increase in rents. During the second half of 2018 the prime office rent rose to £41.50 psf, with increases also seen for all grades of second hand space. The prime rent for laboratory space also rose in 2018 to £34.50 psf. These latest lettings figures are consistent with the findings of research undertaken by Bidwells on the location and property requirements of major R&D companies. The research, undertaken by YouGov on their behalf, underlines the importance of location. The ability to recruit highly skilled staff, combined with the requirement to be near the centre of research ideas and innovation are the determinants of location for such businesses. With a global outlook these companies will consider location from an international perspective and therefore are compelled to be exacting in their requirements.
National building and maintenance contractor, United Living, has appointed former Wates business director Michael Holling into a new role as operations director; covering both the North and Midlands regions. Michael brings with him 30 years of construction and maintenance knowledge, having previously worked at Wates since 1995. Throughout his career he has delivered a range of complex housing projects for local authorities and housing associations, including joint ventures and private development schemes. The appointment marks a significant investment in United Living’s growth strategy, to assist with new and existing business opportunities across the North and Midlands regions. Michael will be based in United Living’s Sheffield office, providing leadership across all operational areas as part of the United Living North Leadership Team. The business is currently strengthening its presence in the North and Midlands, having promoted long-serving employee Shaun Pickin to the role of Operations Manager for the Midlands, and last year appointing former Kier and Keepmoat director Helen Francis as Business Development Director for the North. Speaking of his appointment, Michael Holling said: “This is an exciting time for United Living’s growth strategy across these regions and I look forward to leading on the next stage of development. United Living Group has a great reputation across the housing sector and it’s a pleasure to bring my experience to the business. I’m looking forward to working with the team.” Jo Jamieson, managing director for United Living said: “Michael has built an enviable reputation for delivering large scale construction and residential projects with a keen emphasis on operational excellence and truly understanding customer’s aspirations. I look forward to working with him to drive forward our growth plans across the North and Midlands, and to maximise the opportunities in our pipeline.” For more information about United Living: www.unitedliving.co.uk
A new building designed by London-based practice, Walters & Cohen Architects, has been opened at Newnham College, Cambridge. In 2014, Walters & Cohen won an architectural competition to design new accommodation for Newnham College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge. The original brief was to design a new 75-bedroom student residence at the southern end of the campus. However, during the feasibility study an alternative option was developed that integrated new accommodation in among the existing College buildings, leaving the beautiful gardens unspoilt. The Dorothy Garrod building comprises a new entrance, a welcoming Porters’ Lodge, conference facilities, a rooftop gym, staff offices, meeting and supervision rooms, 86 generous en-suite student bedrooms, kitchen/social areas with plenty of space to cook and eat together, and a popular new café that invites students to linger, work and socialise. 19 bedrooms and two kitchens in the neighbouring Fawcett building were also refurbished, and the rooftop terrace allows Newnhamites to appreciate their beautiful College from an entirely new perspective. Working with Newnham’s project team, special interest groups, students, staff and Fellows ensured that the building meets the College’s needs and is entirely unique to them. The new frontage creates a stronger presence on Sidgwick Avenue without imposing on the historic buildings and gardens. Landscape works are integral to the design, with the building wrapping around a new courtyard garden, and carefully considered interstitial spaces improve visual and physical links between buildings. Integrating the student residence, offices, porters’ lodge and café in one building has created a stronger sense of community and forms the heart of the College. Cindy Walters, Director at Walters & Cohen Architects, said: ‘It has been a huge honour and privilege for us to work with Newnham College to deliver their bold strategic vision. Since winning the design competition four years ago, we have worked with students, administrators, College interest groups and Fellows to ensure that the new building meets the needs of the College, fits into its very unique context and delivers twenty-first-century facilities. The new Porters’ Lodge and entrance was the greatest challenge. It offers a warm welcome, connects the street to a new garden, connects the College to a new café, conference facility and offices, and contains art and artefacts that are specific to Newnham. In the new entrance we have created a space that could not be anywhere else in Oxbridge or the world.’ Professor Dame Carol Black, Principal of Newnham College, said: “This is a building worthy of celebration, one which gives the students of Newnham College a sense of pride and aspiration. It embraces our glorious gardens, with the new en-suite bedrooms looking out over trees on every side. Our architects Walters & Cohen have designed a building at once modern and forward looking, and in sympathy with Newnham’s original Champneys buildings and gardens. The new conference centre is an exciting venture for Newnham, and our students are delighted by the stylish public café with its space for group working and relaxation.”
Saracen Interiors is now reaching the end of a substantial fit-out project for Global Technology company Carl Zeiss. The interiors company is transforming c. 43,000 sq. ft. of office space plus undertaking a range of external works at a site in Cambridgeshire to create a world-class lean manufacturing facility, including a clean room, where Carl Zeiss will make electron microscopes for sale and distribution worldwide. The fit-out of Building 1030 at Cambourne Business Park covers three floors, and the complexity and specialised nature of the work has just been documented in a new video available to view at https://www.saraceninteriors.com/blog/5583/ Clive Longden, Saracen’s Site Manager, said: “It’s a complex project with some significant challenges, but working closely with our client, the team has successfully met these challenges, and we are now on track for completion and handover on time.” Saracen won the project in a competitive tender against strong competition, further cementing the groups presence in the industry. The team is managing a full fit-out of office space on floors one and two, as well as installing all-new kitchens and breakout areas. The first floor also includes a technical area for research and development that has required particularly careful design. But the toughest challenges have been on the ground floor where building a clean room for the production of the electron microscopes threw up significant mechanical and electrical hurdles as well as issues of coordination that the Saracen team has had to overcome. As well as the advanced M and E work, the project has required the installation of a range of specialised equipment, including cranes. Saracen has also installed an external goods lift as part of the project scope of works. The project came about as a result of significant local business growth together with increased global demand for the products and services of the two Cambridge based subsidiaries of the Global Carl Zeiss group. Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd and Carl Zeiss Ltd, wanted to combine operations and move from their two current premises in Cambridge, to a single facility and as a result have signed a long-term lease at Cambourne Business Park Saracen is managing the project so that staff will be able to easily transfer into the newly-revamped premises and to provide Carl Zeiss with room for further future expansion. www.saraceninteriors.com
The islands of Hawaii are like black pearls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Most people know that the place is the treasure chest of many natural wonders including black sand beaches, turquoise-colored ocean, waterfalls and chaotic yet beautiful volcanic eruptions. Little did people know that the island-state is also one of the best places to look up the clear sky at night. Yup, Hawaii is also the best spot to do stargazing. The unpolluted air and the high elevation of its mountains mean that you will have an unobstructed view of the bright stars and other heavenly bodies visible to the naked eyes or with the aid of sophisticated telescopes. There is so much beautiful Hawaii real estate on market to view these stars. Another reason why a state is a great place for astronomy encounter is that of its altitude. Hawaii is positioned at 21 degrees North Latitude which makes it able to see both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere which makes it the only state in the US which will make you able to see both the North Star and the Southern Cross. If you are planning to visit Hawaii, here are some stargazing activities that you can try: * Check the astronomy calendar of celestial events prior to your visit. Be informed about the perfect date and time to catch astronomical events, including moon phases. You don’t want to miss the spectacular show that rarely happens in 10 or 100 years. * If you will be heading on to the Big Island, find a tour that will take you to the summit of Muana Kea for sunrise. You can also do a warmer stargazing at the lower elevation through a telescope. Or head on to Imiloa Astronomy Center where you can use their telescopes to see a clearer view of the stars and other heavenly bodies. * On Oahu, take time to visit the Bishop Museum and enjoy its planetarium. They also have a website where you can find night sky events in Hawaii. *Visit the University of Hawaii Institute of Astronomy. It has tons of information related to astronomy that will serve as your guide. *Some hotels are promoting stargazing on their rooftop to attract guests. One example of this is the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kaanapali. Scout for hotels that let you experience stargazing in Hawaii. * If you have the money for it, you can rent a barge and experience stargazing in the middle of the ocean. The calmness of the ocean plus the magical sightings up above will make your Hawaii vacation an unforgettable treat. If you are in the market for Hawaiian real estate contact a trusted Hawaii real estate agent.
The reason why most people add a single story extension is to create an extra space where you can spend leisure time. Moreover, such extensions also create room for natural light and give you plenty of space which you can use for decoration. However, what you need to understand is that adding a single story extension is not an easy task, which is why it is advisable that you hire a professional builder. Here are the factors you need to consider when choosing a builder for your project. 1. Certification A professional builder should be trained in order to render out construction services. The only way you can be sure that you are dealing with a certified builder is by checking the license of the expert you are dealing with. Moreover, find out from the Federation of Master Builders whether you are dealing with a registered member or not. 2. Experience Dealing with an experienced builder is better than dealing with someone who is new to this type of work. That is because experienced builders can give you better ideas on how you can make your single story extension more interesting. Moreover, an experienced builder will use the skills that he or she has acquired over the years to get the work done on time. We make it our primary goal to offer our clients solely the service and solution that they need. Based on our experience in the industry, we can make recommendations and project improvement suggestions that will lead to an even better outcome than clients expect. Builders Chester 3. Great Customer Services A profession builder should be able to offer you quality services. They should also be easy to work with since you can only be able to inquire about the project if you are comfortable working with the builder. Besides, being easy to work with the builder should also possess great communication skills so that it can be easy to discuss matters relating to your project. 4. Building Regulation And Planning Permissions The last thing you want is to be on the wrong side of the law for not fulfilling building regulations and planning permissions. However, with the aid of a professional builder, you can make sure that you meet all the necessary conditions before you start working on your project. If your builder is not familiar with building regulations and planning permission, then you might want to find a builder who does so that he or she can guide you through the entire process. 5. Cost Of Hiring A Builder Either you are dealing with a construction company or an independent contractor, you need to understand that different tradesman cost different rates for offering their services. Because of this reason, it is advisable that you get a quotation from various dealers if you want to get the best deal. Moreover, the detailing of the quotations should be the same, if you want to get correct estimates of your project from all the parties involved. By getting quotations from different builders, you will be able to determine, which dealer has the best offer for your project. Once we understand your needs and requirements, we can easily manage the project from beginning to the end leaving you with time to pursue other interests. If you are not too sure about your needs, we can help you find what works best for you. Builders Liverpool 6. Payment Plan Another important factor you need to consider when choosing a builder for your single story extension is the payment plan. After agreeing on the price of the project, it is important that you agree on a payment plan as well. Most builders demand a small upfront deposit, in order to start off the project. The small upfront deposit is usually used as capital to buy some of the materials needed to start off the construction project. Other builders, do not request for upfront payment but instead, they use their own money to buy all the necessary materials and equipment needed for the project. However, once the project is complete, the client is required to cover the total cost used in the project. Therefore, make sure that you get a flexible payment plan from the builder you choose to work with, especially if your project will last for more than four weeks before it is completed. The payment plan should be drafted in form of written quotation and signed by both parties. Conclusion Choosing the right builder for your single story extension project is not an easy task. That is because there are hundreds of contractors who specialize in this type of work and only a few have proved to have the ability to offer quality services. However, by acknowledging these factors, you can be sure to find a reputable builder to help you with this type of project.
Regardless of whether the building is a commercial one or a house with a unique flat roof, most people know that flat roofs require more maintenance than standard pitched roofs. While it can be easier to build, the flat roof requires more inspections and maintenance to ensure everything functions correctly. The most difficult element about a flat roof is knowing when to replace the roof or if it requires a few repairs. This article will provide information on the most common types of flat roof repairs what you need to know. 1: Alligatoring One of the most common indicators that a flat roof needs to be replaced is the maintenance issue known as alligatoring. Alligatoring refers to the case when the asphalt used to build the roof has aged and lost elasticity resulting in a bubble and crack effect – similar to the skin of an alligator. Sadly, this means that the flat roof’s asphalt has become damaged to a state of no repair and will require replacement. Not only are we focused on putting in a good roofing solution that’s going to make clients happy, but we also take the time to help after the job is done. We take pride in the work being completed and therefore want clients to understand how to make sure the quality does not drop in the long-term. Roofers Wirral 2: Moisture And Leakage Another highly common issue experienced by properties with flat roofs is the leakage and lingering moisture. Fortunately, these problems can be dealt with effectively as long as one remains aware of them. As with all roofs, a flat roof develops leaks; however, as it is flat, the water does not have any place to go except straight down. This means the moisture will enter the roof and result in potential fungus and mould. One of the best ways to deal with moisture and leaks on a flat roof is by having it regularly inspected. Each time to you find an issue, repair and maintain the problem immediately. 3: A Buckle In Membrane The majority of flat roofs with asphalt are built in a similar way to pitched roofs because they have an asphalt-soaked membrane, and this membrane is spread across the top of the building. However, unlike the pitched roofs, the membrane of the flat roof is in a single piece and placed along the roof. This means that as time progresses the roof will settle and shift along with the property structure. Any excessive movement can result in buckling in the asphalt membrane, which can lead to breaks in the roof. A roof that buckles is not secure to live under and can lead to future problems. This is why it is best to have the membrane replaced as soon as it shows any buckling. 4: Pooling Water Due to the roof being flat there is nowhere for moisture to run when it rains. Moreover, when the house settles the roof can shift slightly, meaning it may not be as level as it was originally. This can cause water to pool in dips and divots. While the majority of materials are manufactured to hold up the water, the pools must be drained as soon as possible and check that the water does not seep into the lower layers of the roof. If pooling lingers, it is likely to deteriorate the exterior of the roof; thus shortening the lifetime of the roof. 5: Cracking Roof Flat roofs have a tendency for pressure to be exerted on them because they are not slanted. In some cases, the pressure can be built up as if the stress and pressure can be excessive. It can cause the roof to crack, and if it does crack you should contact a professional immediately. In addition, exposing the house to precipitation can result in roof cracking. This shows that the roof is structurally compromised and it is time for a new one. The majority of roofing work is carried out while the structure below is still occupied. That’s why we schedule and conduct our work with the utmost flexibility to suit your specific needs. We want to do our jobs while causing the minimum amount of disruption in your day-to-day life. Roofers Chester 6: Flashing As with various roofing materials, the asphalt flat roof tends to expand and contract with changing weather and temperatures. As time progresses, this continued expansion and contraction can result in flashing to pull away from the corners and edges of the roof; thereby, resulting in leaks and moisture being trapped in the roof. The best method of dealing with this issue is by inspecting and maintaining the roof regularly. When the leaks are significant or you have deterioration in the flashing, you will be required to replace the roof. If you have questions regarding the condition of the roof, or you think it is time to have the roof inspected, you should contact a roofing professional.
Anyone involved in the construction industry knows how vital access to key building supplies is. These common materials and products are literally the foundations of any house or building that is constructed. Without them, the whole industry would grind to a halt and the fabulous structures that we can erect today would not be possible. It is not just construction workers who would be affected though. Without the essential building supplies that we can call on now, architects would not have the tools to plan out the amazing homes they do currently. This makes having access to the right building supplies for the job at hand crucial. One thing that you may sometimes wonder when working on a job is what resources are in a particular product you are using and where they actually came from. Understanding this can not only help you to take on board what is in the building supply you are using but also how it has been made. Where do the resources come from? There are many, many common building supplies that most construction projects will use. If you want to find out what goes into some of them and where the resources come from, then the below should help: Steel support beams – this is a very important building supply as it protects the structural integrity of the building itself. Adding in steel support beams where needed will help to resist any shear forces and any bending of the section on which they sit. Ferrochrome is the main resource used in this material and is a substance mined from the Earth. Eurasian Resources Group is the prime producer of ferrochrome globally and operates in 15 countries, across four continents. It produces a massive amount of this key alloy each year to help the construction industry access the steel support beams they need. Windows and skylights – another common building supply that you will see on all projects are windows and skylights. They are key to letting enough natural light into a building and making it a more pleasant place to be. Glass is the primary resource in both and involves heating sand to a high temperature until it dissolves. Popular for the contemporary look that it can also give to modern structures in terms of large glass walls, for example, it is produced on a commercial scale in factories around the world. Wall insulation – all building projects now will have a focus on making structures energy efficient. A key part of that is insulating walls so that they retain heat and use less energy. The most common way to go about it is with sheets of rigid foam that sit in the cavity between walls. The major resource in these foam sheets is expanded polystyrene. These sheets are made across Europe and the rest of the world in commercial factory operations. Various supplies such as ladders or railings – one very important resource behind many building supplies is aluminium. This substance is a chemical element that is non-magnetic and soft. As a result, it is very handy for use in lots of projects and allowing architects to be creative in their designs. Aluminium is mined from the Earth and then processed to be used in the construction industry worldwide. China is probably the biggest aluminium producer at the moment with over 30,000 tons mined each year. Concrete – if you are working on a big structure or anything involving landscaping, such as road laying, then concrete is a key supply. This material is key for constructing hard-wearing buildings or roads that last for a long time. Along with a commonly found aggregate such as gravel, the main resource in concrete is cement. Cement is produced around the world by mixing various materials such as limestone and sand together before heating them. When set, the resulting compound is ground into a fine dust to become cement. The main places that cement comes from are China and India, though many countries around the world produce it to some degree. Don’t forget bricks Perhaps the most commonly seen building supply on a project are bricks. Although they have been around for a long time, they are still the way that most people expect their home to be built. Traditionally, the main resource found in bricks is clay, which is shaped and fired to produce the final brick. As a natural material, clay is mined from the Earth by mining groups and then processed to be used by brick manufacturers. Resources power the construction sector What the above shows is that without the natural resource groups around the world mining precious resources to use or countries commercially manufacturing them, the construction industry would not be able to function. Without common building supplies such as concrete, windows or steel support beams, it would be impossible to safely construct the structures that we all see today.
