London’s St James’s district benefits from new office, retail and restaurant space with the completion of a multi-use development. 35,000 sq ft of office space was delivered over the first to sixth floors, with 11,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space at ground and basement levels. The Marq project
The latest technology to deliver engine testing and research into sustainable power concepts has been brought to Coventry with the construction of a new automotive hub. Built by Willmott Dixon, the Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) houses some of the most advanced test facilities currently in the UK
The installation of fall protection systems can, unfortunately, be perceived as an inconvenience or, worse yet, an opportunity for cost-cutting. Fall protection equipment is vital to the safety of those that work at height but can count for little if incorrectly installed. When lives are at stake you don’t get
Family owned builders merchants, Chandler Building Supplies, has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Seven Port Challenge. The 180 km charity cycling challenge covers seven ports across England and France over four days. A team of six from the builders merchants is taking on the difficult challenge of cycling ‘The
Clare Adamson, Convener of Holyrood’s Cross Party Group on Accident Prevention and Safety has become the latest member of the Scottish Parliament to back the campaign to regulate electricians and supports SELECT, the electrotechnical trade association, for raising awareness by campaigning for recognition of Electricians as a Profession. Clare, who
Listed buildings enjoy special protection to preserve our national heritage, but because of their age and methods of construction these building can be particularly susceptible to deterioration and decay. One of the biggest threats to timber framed historical homes or other period buildings with timber features is wood rot. While
London’s St James’s district benefits from new office, retail and restaurant space with the completion of a multi-use development. 35,000 sq ft of office space was delivered over the first to sixth floors, with 11,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space at ground and basement levels. The Marq project has been completed by Skanska for its client The Crown Estate. “Handing this project over on time, within budget and to such a high standard is a fantastic achievement. Working together with all of our stakeholders has created a strong working ethic that has delivered our customer’s requirements and it’s a building that they can be proud of,” said Richard Kirkpatrick, Project Director. The development features three pieces of bespoke artwork by Jacqueline Poncelet, with two external elements – splay corner and gates – being complemented by an interior wall-based artwork. Moreover, the building is on target to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating for the office space and a WELL Building Core and Shell Gold certification. On this project Skanska was also supported by Rolfe Judd (architects), Waterman Group (structural engineers) and Watkins Payne Partnership (services engineers). “This has been a complex project at a busy location with several constraints on the site. It has been an exciting project for us, involving creative engineering in close proximity to nearby buildings and busy streets. The structural works have gone very smoothly thanks to close collaboration between all parties. The project is a great credit to all involved,” commented Richard Whitehead, Board Director of Structures at Waterman.
The latest technology to deliver engine testing and research into sustainable power concepts has been brought to Coventry with the construction of a new automotive hub. Built by Willmott Dixon, the Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) houses some of the most advanced test facilities currently in the UK and is available to car makers, airplane manufacturers, small and medium-sized companies to accelerate the creation of new powertrain solutions for use across automotive, aerospace, marine and rail sectors. “It is a pleasure to be working with Coventry University and FEV to create this cutting-edge facility. Research into low carbon technologies is incredibly important and, as a carbon neutral business, it is something close to the heart of all of us at Willmott Dixon. It was a challenging build, but thanks to strong relationships and communication between all partners, C-ALPS has been a great success,” said Peter Owen, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. “Similarly, the constrained location came with its challenges due to being surrounded by businesses, a church, a university and residential areas – it’s very different to most of other FEV sites around the world which are normally located miles away from other buildings. Because of this, our design partner Broadway Malyan designed its cladding to blend in with the environment and complement the site’s location,” Peter added. The hub will allow experts from across the world to conduct research into vehicle hybridisation, electrification, plus enhancement of conventional and alternative fuel-based powertrains to meet the requirements of future transportation and future cities. It is part of a long-term collaboration between Coventry University and FEV, the international leader in design and development of advanced gasoline, diesel and hybrid powertrains and vehicle systems. The development has created five testing cells, offices, a workshop, car parking and soft landscaping. It has created strong links into the engineering industry for Coventry University and in turn, will create fantastic opportunities for students and Coventry itself.
The installation of fall protection systems can, unfortunately, be perceived as an inconvenience or, worse yet, an opportunity for cost-cutting. Fall protection equipment is vital to the safety of those that work at height but can count for little if incorrectly installed. When lives are at stake you don’t get a second chance to make the right decision. That’s why it’s beneficial to partner with quality installers that can fully support you from the output, says Stuart Pierpoint, UK Sales Manager at HCL Safety. What does a quality installation look like? First and foremost, a quality installer should offer a range of installation options and be capable of accurately tailoring their services to suit each project’s unique requirements. After all, no two installations are the same and can often be dependent on the system specified and on-site practicalities. To effectively counteract potentially unexpected challenges and each project’s nuances, the installer should always be appropriately trained, competent, and experienced. Partnering with a quality installer also means that you receive much more than just the installation itself. You’re buying into a complete 360-degree offering, from the initial concept of design to pricing, to certification, servicing, and training. Covering all these things with one dependable partner can give you peace of mind and helps maintain consistency of quality. Issues surrounding poor installation Poor installation can cause many potential issues, all of which can lead to life-changing injuries or even fatalities. This is tragically demonstrated by the fact that falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities, according to HSE statistics – not to mention the negative impact on your business Fundamentally, bad installations come down to a lack of experience and competence which can culminate in a lack of attention to detail and/or poor planning and design at the outset. For instance, installing lifelines across roof lights or too close to an edge for a fall restraint application are mistakes which can have serious consequences and put operatives in dangerous situations that are often completely avoidable. New build vs. retrofit Typically, when faced with installing a system on a new build, there is a greater understanding of the building design, materials used, the fixing theory and the likely load requirements of a system. While this makes installation somewhat more straightforward, it’s the installer’s responsibility to keep the project compliant at each stage, from specification and contract stage, right through to installation and aftercare services. Any mistakes or inaccuracies could lead to increased costs or delayed projects. With retrofit projects, installers normally have less information at their disposal. It’s therefore crucial that they conduct a thorough site survey before any work commences. Understanding the unique characteristics of the building will help the installer accurately propose the right fall protection solution at hand. Fulfil your obligation Your responsibility to provide a safe working environment does not end when you specify a fall protection system. Firstly, not all fall protection systems are made equal. Carry out research and consult professionals to make sure that you’re installing the very best solution for the job at hand. Fall protection systems can often be let down by installation and in the wrong hands the risks are potentially catastrophic. Be sure to partner with fall protection specialists offering a quality end-to-end service. Doing so will help ensure that you’re not only fulfilling your safety obligation, but your ethical one too. For more information, please visit www.hclsafety.com
Family owned builders merchants, Chandler Building Supplies, has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Seven Port Challenge. The 180 km charity cycling challenge covers seven ports across England and France over four days. A team of six from the builders merchants is taking on the difficult challenge of cycling ‘The Beast’ – a 6 person tandem – for the first leg of the event from Brighton to Portsmouth on Thursday 2, May. The brave cyclists from the Brighton, Lewes, Ringmer, Petworth, Chertsey and Bookham branches of Chandlers Building Supplies are Jason Austin, Chris Vernon, Ashley Miles, Brian Smith and Stuart Campbell and Paul Hawes. Brian Smith from Chandlers Building Supplies, Brighton, said: “We’ll have to put in a lot of practice on the tandem before May 2. It’s a very tricky bike to master and it is quite heavy too. The guys are all up for it and have committed to hours of practice to master the ‘Beast’. Let’s hope that our six pairs of legs are up to the challenge. We’re all looking forward to it!” This 52 mile ride starts at the i360 in Brighton and the riders will cycle via Chandlers’s Brighton store near Shoreham port and then along to Portsmouth Harbour . Sue McKinney, marketing manager at Chandlers Building Supplies said: “As a family owned building merchants we are always keen to support the local charities in the areas in which we are located. We dedicated the opening of our extended Brighton store last summer to Off the Fence, homeless charity, one of the charities this event is also supporting along with the other Mayor’s Charities to include Rocking Horse, Grace Eyre Foundation and Martlets. “We are delighted to be involved in the Seven Port Challenge and are proud of our team of six who very readily jumping at the opportunity to get involved.” Follow the Chandlers Building Supplies team’s practice on the ‘Beast’ on twitter and Instagram: @ChandlersBS and @chandlersbuilding. To sponsor their efforts visit: www.gofundme.com/SevenPortChallenge <http://www.gofundme.com/SevenPortChallenge> #7PortChallenge The Seven Port Challenge is run by The Brighton & Hove Property Consortium in association with Colin Brace Properties. Chandlers is a privately-owned, independent roofing & builders’ merchant with branches across the South East of England & the Midlands.
Clare Adamson, Convener of Holyrood’s Cross Party Group on Accident Prevention and Safety has become the latest member of the Scottish Parliament to back the campaign to regulate electricians and supports SELECT, the electrotechnical trade association, for raising awareness by campaigning for recognition of Electricians as a Profession. Clare, who is the MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, has added her name to the Wall of Support, a striking graphic representation of the ever-growing numbers of organisations and individuals backing the campaign. Clare said: “I am very aware of the importance of Electrical Safety. Consumers deserve the assurance that when they engage the services of an electrician that the person is qualified and accredited to complete the work safely and to the highest industry standard. SELECT’s campaign to have the trade of Electrician recognised as a profession has shone a light on this issue and I support the progress being made in regulation of this industry to ensure that my constituents are protected and can have confidence going forward.” Ms Adamson’s endorsement of the campaign adds to widespread backing across the construction industry for the move which is also backed by the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and Unite the Union. The Wall of Support illustrates vividly the strength of feeling across a huge range of disciplines that being an electrician is a highly-skilled and professional occupation and that those who practise it must be suitably qualified. Alan Wilson, Acting Managing Director at SELECT, said: ““The Wall shows in a dramatic fashion the strength of feeling that exists within the construction sector about the issue of professional recognition. We would like to thank Clare for backing us in such a public manner. Our aim is that in future no one in Scotland should have to tolerate the anxiety and upset to which she and her family have been exposed. Bodies which have contributed a brick in the Wall include: Electrical Safety First, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); the Scottish Association of Landlords; the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group; the Association of Electrical Safety Managers; Energy Action Scotland; BAM Construction; the Scottish Building Federation; the Federation of Master Builders; and the Energy Saving Trust. For more information please contact Alan Wilson, Acting Managing Director at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian, EH26 0SB. T: 0131 445 5577. F: 0131 445 5548. E: admin@select.org.uk. W: www.select.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/updates_select https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWJVjt14CvIig8bIKwidVug
Listed buildings enjoy special protection to preserve our national heritage, but because of their age and methods of construction these building can be particularly susceptible to deterioration and decay. One of the biggest threats to timber framed historical homes or other period buildings with timber features is wood rot. While wood is a beautiful, natural building material widely used for construction over the centuries, it is also surprisingly vulnerable. Without ongoing care and maintenance, both dry rot and wet rot can cause significant structural damage over time, potentially costing thousands to repair. If you are thinking of buying a listed building, or you already own one, here’s what you should be looking out for. How to deal with dry rot Dry rot in a building is also caused by a fungal infection – most commonly Serpula Lacrymans – but it spreads without the presence of moisture, making it potentially a much more serious issue. When dry rot spreads, it can quickly damage the structural integrity of the property; it can affect both wood and masonry. If you suspect an outbreak of dry rot in your listed building, you should seek professional advice urgently. Dry rot develops from spores that land on a surface with the right conditions for growth. Timber with a moisture content of 20% is perfect, and dry rot will rapidly germinate, multiply and spread, shedding more spores and also spreading as mycelium. For timber to develop the right conditions for dry rot to thrive, there’s typically a building fault that must be identified and treated quickly. Poor ventilation, leaking gutters or penetrating damp are among the usual culprits. While the early stages of dry rot may not be that obvious to the layman’s eye, it’s much easier to spot once it has a fruiting body or has reached the mycelium stage. Look out for similar symptoms as for wet rot – brittle, shrinking timbers, dark patches – as well as signature cracking as can be seen on the image below. The fungus itself is likely to have a musty, mushroomy smell, and there may be visible pancake-like mushrooms (the fruiting body) as well as soft, creamy or lilac colour cotton-wool like mycelium that spreads across the timber, along with red dust from the spores. Source: Hutton & Rostron The treatment of dry rot, again, starts with identifying the culprit. Find the source of the moisture and fix the problem, and assess the scale of the damage done. For a detailed and accurate diagnosis to be made, you may have to explore beyond the affected area, look under floorboards, behind plaster and render and so forth. Cut the infected timbers to at least 50cm past the visible rot affected area and apply a suitable dry rot fungicide liberally, including any replacement timbers before they are installed. For walls and brickwork, remove any dry rot growth with a stiff brush, then sterilise the entire area with a dry rot treatment for walls and masonry. How do deal with wet rot Wet rot is typically found in timbers that have been exposed to damp or wet conditions over long periods of time, which has the effect of making the substance soft and unstable. The moisture can come from a variety of sources including excessive condensation in bathrooms and kitchens, leaky roofs, damp basement walls, defect guttering or drainage, or penetrating damp. What exactly is wet rot? Well, it’s a general term used for types of fungus that thrive in damp environments which, if left undealt with, can cause damage to timber as well as plaster, wallpaper and carpets. Coniophora Puteana (‘cellar fungus’) is one of the best known wet rot fungus, so called because it loves basements and other dark areas. Wet rot in timber is relatively easy to spot though many people confuse symptoms of wet rot and dry rot. Common indicators for wet rot include the tell-tale damp, musty odour, darker patches, a soft or spongy texture, discernible shrinkage and cracking, and even visible fungal growth. Source: DIY Doctor If you want to make sure, take a screwdriver and prod an unobtrusive part of the suspected area to see how solid it is. The less resistance you encounter, the more serious the wood rot issue you’re dealing with. It’s also worth getting a specialist damp or wet rot survey carried out for an accurate diagnosis and assessment of the extent of the problem. Remedial action for wet rot starts with identifying the source of the moisture and fixing it. The next step is to treat the affected timber or, if unsalvageable, replace it. Apply a fungicide and allow the wood to dry out completely before using a wood hardener. Treat the surrounding timbers too, even if they appear to be unaffected, to stop the risk of wood rot spreading and to prevent any future outbreaks. For widespread wet fungal infections, you may be left with no option but to replace the timbers. For any structural repairs you wish to carry out on a listed building, it’s important to get proper advice from your local planning authority. Don’t simply assume that repairs using like-for-like materials won’t require planning consent, since there may be special historic or architectural interest in the removed/replaced materials.
