Wooden cladding and missing fire breaks Residents of 14 blocks of flats in Manchester are suing the government for only protecting flats with Grenfell-style cladding and not looking at the broader picture of fire safety in high-rise buildings. Two years on from the Grenfell Tower disaster, the government pledged £600m to
BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, have released the revised Scheme Document for their Fire Risk Assessment Scheme (BAFE SP205). Following a thorough review process and a five week public consultation period, BAFE have launched the revised document for Fire Risk Assessment providers. A major point
Designing a waterproofing scheme is no simple matter. With rainfall averages varying from a few hundred millimetres to several metres depending on where you are in the UK, and most of it undulating, it’s certainly no level playing field. Even when it is, you could still find your building sitting
Sand is an essential component in most modern buildings. It’s used to create foundations, construct columns, make plasters, and more. What many consumers don’t realize is that there are actually many types of sand, each of which is used for particular applications. Before so much as beginning to lay a
St. Modwen Homes delivered a 36% growth in sales volumes during the first half of 2019 (to 31 May) as demand continues for high quality homes in more affordable, regional locations. Over the past six months, 411 units were sold versus 302 units over the same period last year. The
Duncan Firth, 46, has been promoted to managing director of Walker Sime, the large regional property consultancy with offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. Founders Des Walker and Jon Sime have assumed new roles focusing on quality, governance and client relationships. Firth joined the business in 2015 tasked with establishing
Wooden cladding and missing fire breaks Residents of 14 blocks of flats in Manchester are suing the government for only protecting flats with Grenfell-style cladding and not looking at the broader picture of fire safety in high-rise buildings. Two years on from the Grenfell Tower disaster, the government pledged £600m to remove any ACM cladding, which caused the tower to engulf in flames so rapidly, from all tower blocks in the country. However, leaseholders are facing bills of up to £80,000 to fix other fire safety faults, including wooden cladding and missing fire breaks, in scores of buildings and are claiming it is ‘unjust’ for problems to only be resolved when they appear to be systematic. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said, “We have repeatedly and consistently made clear building owners are responsible for the safety of their buildings. “We issued unambiguous advice to building owners 18 months ago to reinforce existing building safety requirements and tell building owners what to do to make sure their cladding system is safe. This advice was updated in December 2018.” The government are being accused of failing to protect tower blocks from fire amid rising frustration that thousands of people are still living dangerously post-Grenfell. Fran Reddington, a leaseholder who is helping to lead the campaign said, “The government isn’t stepping up to help. Some residents are facing £80,000 bills and we don’t have any other choice. Fire doesn’t distinguish between the different types of dangerous material but the government is doing just that.” Suzanne Richards, Manchester city council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said it was “disheartening” to hear that leaseholders in her city felt they had no other option than legal action.
BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, have released the revised Scheme Document for their Fire Risk Assessment Scheme (BAFE SP205). Following a thorough review process and a five week public consultation period, BAFE have launched the revised document for Fire Risk Assessment providers. A major point of the review was to maintain the robust certification process whilst acknowledging the large number of sole traders and in-house fire safety teams looking to gain this independent evidence of their competency. With assessments delivered via UKAS Accredited Certification Bodies NSI and SSAIB, BAFE remains fiercely confident that the SP205 scheme continues to represent the best measures of competency in providing the vital service of fire risk assessment. “After the Lakanal House fire in July 2009, BAFE and other organisations were asked by government to provide a competency scheme for fire risk assessments – which we delivered in 2012. This major review reflects our ongoing commitment to quality and safety regarding the importance of a Fire Risk Assessors competency to perform this task in the interest first and foremost of life safety. As the Hackitt Review groups reach their conclusions we will continue to review this scheme against new requirements that arise.” – Stephen Adams, BAFE Chief Executive Notable changes to the BAFE SP205 Scheme Document include: • Revised, clearer Management System requirements for Sole Traders with guidance. • A specific Sole Trader application process, acknowledging current membership status to a professional trade body and/or current certification. • All sub-contractors must be Third Party Certificated (by a UKAS Accredited Third Party Certification Body) in their own right. • Sole Traders sub-contracting to another larger organisation should have their Fire Risk Assessments validated in a separate exercise by that larger organisation. • Enhanced report monitoring for Sole Traders. Certification to the BAFE SP205 Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment Scheme is highly regarded as a means of sourcing a quality fire risk assessment provider for your requirements. This is listed within the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council’s Guide to Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor which is published on the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) website. Kevin Stearns, the FIA Compliance Manager, comments “The change by BAFE to require sub contracted fire risk assessors to also be BAFE certified is a major change within the scheme, and may have a short term impact on companies who currently use non certified sub contracted, life safety fire risk assessors”. For further information on the BAFE SP205 Scheme and to view the new version of the Scheme Document, please visit the BAFE website>>
Designing a waterproofing scheme is no simple matter. With rainfall averages varying from a few hundred millimetres to several metres depending on where you are in the UK, and most of it undulating, it’s certainly no level playing field. Even when it is, you could still find your building sitting below the water line. Here, Niklas Ullfors, National Technical Manager for Visqueen, lays down some ground rules for specifying successful waterproofing solutions. With the UK’s weather becoming more and more unpredictable, and taking in to account the local geology, it is imperative to have a varied range of robust waterproofing applications to meet any requirement. While average annual rainfall across the country is 1.35 metres, some parts of Scotland and the East of England suffer a drenching of 3.0 metres and over. In most cases this filtrates through the soil types until it reaches the natural water table and is far enough below the surface not to be troublesome. However, in places such as the fenlands in East Anglia the water table is at or just below ground level and as a result, without an appropriate waterproofing scheme, a building could be sitting in water 100% of the time. Terrain can also play a big part when selecting the appropriate waterproofing system. Few parts of the UK are flat and there isn’t a real option to have land remodelled, because it is expensive and a significant engineering exercise. An alternative is to follow the natural gradient, with the front of the building at ground level and the rear partly below it, or vice versa. Some buildings are deliberately ‘buried’ to blend into the landscape and be energy efficient, while others feature a single or multi-storey basement. In all these cases, a robust waterproofing system will be needed. Obviously, it’s essential the waterproofing design is done at the building design stage and dovetails into the overall design. The British Standard code of practice for the theoretical design of waterproofing systems for a building or civil engineering structure is BS8102:2009. Introduced in 1990 it was updated in 2009. Whilst it is recognised as a guidance only document, a number of recent legal cases have created a default system whereby it must be considered when designing any waterproofing scheme. Know your ABC’s Waterproofing systems are split into Types A, B and C, and range from pre-applied and post-applied solutions, through to integral and drained systems. Depending on the amount of water encountered one or more types could be required. The most common are single and dual type applications. A waterproofing design with a combination of types lowers the risk for water ingress. Type A A ‘Type A’ system is bonded to the external face of the building or structure. It is completely bonded and known as a ‘Type A fully-bonded’ system. When a fully-bonded system needs to go below a building then the product will be placed on the ground first and the concrete poured on top of it. This is known as a ‘pre-applied product’, whereas if for example, a liquid product is applied to the external face of a structure this is a ‘post-applied product’. Both are Type A systems as both are fully-bonded to the structure. In the unlikely event the Type A system is damaged then water can enter through the damaged area. But tests have proved the water will stay localised to the damaged area. Conversely, if the system is not bonded to the structure then the water will track between the Type A product and the structure, and as a result water ingress will occur on a massive scale! Type B A Type B integral system is generally used when walls that are made from cast-on-site concrete and need to be made waterproof. There are two ways to achieve this. Firstly, you can add a special additive, which is done at the concrete mixing plant. This is very common as it is the most efficient way to make concrete waterproof and is also the most cost effective. Secondly, steel reinforcement can be added to the structure. This will keep the concrete taught and prevent any tiny crack appearing. If cracks do appear, then water will travel along them and enter the building. Type C A Type C system is completely different and often referred to as a ‘drained cavity system’ as it allows water to enter into the building through the structure itself. The water is then collected and managed away via a specialist drainage system. This system is very common if, for example, a building is being refurbished and water ingress has occurred or the building is undergoing a change of use. Design considerations Having considered external factors, a waterproofing designer also needs to consider the use of the proposed structure, what materials are going to be used and that the solution will remain intact for the in-service life of the building. The environment and building use creates risk factors, which are categorised under BS8102:2009 into three grades. Grade 1 has the lowest risk, a car park being a good example. Grade 2 would include a garage, plant room or workshop, whereas a domestic dwelling is a Grade 3 environment, needing to be the driest. Any water ingress or damp patches on the walls in your home are totally unacceptable. Once all the background information and the risks are known, then we can start to consider the principles of the waterproofing design. To provide a working example I’m suggesting a domestic house with a basement in Cumbria in the North West of England. The building is at risk from high levels of rainfall and, as it is a grade 3 property, it needs to be dry at all times. At this initial stage we will be considering a dual waterproofing system. In this situation, a Type A + Type B system would be highly recommended and is a fairly common combination for a new build. The Type B system will be an additive added to
Sand is an essential component in most modern buildings. It’s used to create foundations, construct columns, make plasters, and more. What many consumers don’t realize is that there are actually many types of sand, each of which is used for particular applications. Before so much as beginning to lay a foundation, property owners and contractors new to their professions should take the time to familiarize themselves with the different sizes and shapes of sand available. They range from fill sand to frac sand, mason sand, and beyond. Read on to find out about frac sand and other available options and get some helpful tips for choosing the right one. Tip #1: Learn the Types of Sand Sand is a fine aggregate derived from natural sources such as the beach or created by crushing rock into tiny granules. Each type of sand is derived from different source materials, with frac sand on the finer end of the spectrum usually composed primarily of quartz, which produces a durable, uniform grain and concrete sand from a combination of gneiss, trap rock, granite, and limestone. The types of sand used in construction are typically coarser and slightly larger. Pit sand, river sand, and concrete sand all play important roles in construction in that they are all frequently used for concrete foundations and pads. Their non-uniform shape and larger size create stronger cement. Tip #2: Understand the Applications Don’t just buy a bunch of sand and assume that it will be a good fit for any project. Determine exactly which building applications will require sand in advance and purchase one or more of the varieties of sand described above to meet the project’s unique needs. Mixing concrete is just one application for sand in a building project. Fill sand, an aggregate composed of grains of many shapes and sizes is perfect for raising areas that need filling in since it can be compacted and it drains better than many other varieties. For finishing work that requires plastering, mason’s sand offers a consistently fine grit and uniform shape that provides a smoother finish. Tip #3: Choose a Reputable Supplier The best way to ensure that the sand being used in a building project is the right coarseness and size is to find a reliable supplier. Work with a company that offers a variety of different sands and will offer detailed information about each of its products. Some suppliers produce their own sand, while others purchase it from mines or manufacturers. Don’t be afraid to ask about the source of the sand and what kinds of testing its manufacturer uses to ensure consistent quality. This is especially relevant when buying manufactured sand, or M-sand, which comes in a wide variety of gradations, colors, and levels of purity. Even natural sand should undergo batch testing for potential impurities and careful screening to ensure that it meets buyers’ specifications. The Bottom Line There are a lot of different varieties of sand out there and each has a different intended application. When choosing sand for a new construction project, project managers should be particular about where their sand is coming from and how its manufacturer has tested its quality. They should work with a supplier that has representatives available to answer questions they may have and should be confident they’re working with the right materials to produce the best possible results.
St. Modwen Homes delivered a 36% growth in sales volumes during the first half of 2019 (to 31 May) as demand continues for high quality homes in more affordable, regional locations. Over the past six months, 411 units were sold versus 302 units over the same period last year. The private order book is currently up 25% versus last year, which means the business expects to deliver volume growth of up to 25% for the full year and is on track to sell over 1000 homes during 2019, the first time the business will break through this key milestone. To support further future growth, St. Modwen Homes is currently sales active on 23 outlets, up from 20 at the start of the year. The business plans to open a further four outlets in the second half of 2019. This is expected to continue to grow beyond 2019 as the substantial land bank provides good visibility and control over a pipeline to continue to grow volumes by up to 25% p.a. until 2021. St. Modwen Homes has also set a medium-term operating margin target of c. 16-17% and during the first half of 2019 improved to 14.8% (2018: 14.6%), in line with a target to improve operating margin for the full year by c. 50bps from last year’s level of 14.4%. Meanwhile, the average private sales price reduced by 5.7%, driven by changes in sales mix and location, but like-for-like sales prices increased 2.5%. Working safely and delivering quality and a positive experience for customers remain paramount in growing the business and the current HBF recommend rating is tracking at over 90%, which is consistent with a 5* home builder status. Dave Smith, Managing Director of St. Modwen Homes, commented: “This strong performance balances sales volumes growth, margin improvement and geographic expansion whilst taking great pride in the all-important areas of safety and customer experience. We are now at a point where we hope to break through the 1000 mark for annual home sales which shows just how far we’ve come as a housebuilder but also our direction of travel for the future. In support of this, we are investing in an expanding workforce and supporting wider industry skills to ensure we can deliver high quality, sustainable growth in the years to come.” Further information on St. Modwen Homes can be found at https://www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk/
Duncan Firth, 46, has been promoted to managing director of Walker Sime, the large regional property consultancy with offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. Founders Des Walker and Jon Sime have assumed new roles focusing on quality, governance and client relationships. Firth joined the business in 2015 tasked with establishing its project management division. This followed a successful consultancy career which included delivering the City of Manchester Stadium in time for the Commonwealth Games and a period as a director of Deloitte where he delivered a number of key pieces of infrastructure for the London Olympics. “We have a unique culture here that places our clients and our staff front and centre and it will be more of the same,” says Firth of his early priorities. Walker Sime has 85 employees and a turnover approaching £8m per annum. The company offers quantity surveying, project management, construction design management, bills of quantities and commercial consultancy services. Current projects include Walker Sime’s role as project managers on Peel’s giant Liverpool Waters scheme; as advisors on Ask Real Estate’s emerging Medlock Street mixed use scheme in Manchester and as cost consultants on Leeds Bradford Airport in Yorkshire. Mark Parker has been promoted internally to fill Mr Firth’s previous role as director of the company’s project management division.
