Only 3% of UK, German and French architects are able to identify the four basic fire protection terms No German architects correctly defined all four terms and only 6% in France and 8% in UK Active and passive fire protection better understood by UK architects than by French and Germany
Following on from the hugely successful Railtex, attention now turns to Infrarail, the UK’s leading exhibition of railway infrastructure equipment, products and services. Infrarail returns next year but will be at a new venue, the London Olympia, from May 12th to May 14th. The event is firmly established as Britain’s
Innovative demolition specialist AR Demolition has continued investing in its business with a revitalised earthworks and soil remediation team. The East Midlands firm, which is based at Carlton near Nuneaton, has taken on a new team of earthworks and remediation specialists, to rejuvenate its offering in providing the full suite
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) announces the appointment of industry heavyweight, Andrew Stamps, as National Head of Infrastructure with immediate effect. This announcement is the latest in a series from RLB UK, marking the firm’s continuing growth as it heads into a new
Only 3% of UK, German and French architects are able to identify the four basic fire protection terms No German architects correctly defined all four terms and only 6% in France and 8% in UK Active and passive fire protection better understood by UK architects than by French and Germany counterparts France has greater understanding of reaction of fire than UK and Germany UK architects have the lowest understanding of fire resistance Only 2% of architects surveyed have had comprehensive fire protection training A third of architects say their current employer doesn’t spend enough on fire protection training Over three quarters of architects believe they are lacking in fully comprehensive fire protection training Zeroignition, the fire-retardant technology firm has announced the European findings from its study of architects and specifiers. Architects in the UK, Germany and France were asked about their knowledge and understanding of four common terms relating to buildings and fire protection. Across the three countries only 3% of architects were able to correctly define the four basic fire protection terms: active fire protection, passive fire protection, fire resistance and reaction to fire. Of the architects surveyed in the UK 8% where able to define the four terms, in France it was only 6% and in Germany none. Across the three countries over half (54%) of architects were unable to correctly define the concept of active fire protection (systems which protect structures and people – typically sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms). This breaks down to one in three (35%) architects in the UK, over half those asked in Germany (59%) and two out of three (67%) architects surveyed in France. When asked to define passive fire protection (whereby the spread of fire is slowed or contained through the use of fire-resistant walls, floors and doors, amongst others), more than half (57%) of architects were unable to provide an accurate definition. UK architects showed the most understanding with just under half (48%) unable to answer. The number of architects who could not answer increased to 61% in Germany and 63% in France. In total 63% of architects could not explain ‘reaction to fire’ protection (products designed to slow the growth of fire in its early stages to aid escape). This includes over one third (35%) of those asked in France, over two out of five (42%) of UK respondents and almost all (94%) German architects. When asked to define fire resistance (a set of products that prevent fire spreading to other parts of the structure) more than half (56%) were unable to. By country this breaks down to almost three quarters (71%) of UK architects and half those surveyed in France (51%). Germany showed a better understanding with less than half (45%) answering incorrectly. Hardly any of the architects interviewed, a mere 2%, said they’d had comprehensive fire protection training, most had some training and less than one in ten (8%) say they’ve never had fire protection training. Ian King, chief operating officer, Zeroignition, commented: “Lack of fire knowledge among architects in Europe, as indicated by the survey findings in the UK, France and Germany, show the issue is not limited to one country. Some countries fare better than others depending on the basic fire term in question but it is clear fire knowledge is lacking across the board. Professional bodies, and the construction industry as a whole, need to invest more and tackle the issue.”
Following on from the hugely successful Railtex, attention now turns to Infrarail, the UK’s leading exhibition of railway infrastructure equipment, products and services. Infrarail returns next year but will be at a new venue, the London Olympia, from May 12th to May 14th. The event is firmly established as Britain’s leading showcase for every aspect of railway infrastructure technology and expertise, attracting visiting managers, engineers and buyers at the highest level. The show comes at a busy, exciting and challenging time for Britain’s railway infrastructure. Large scale investments and upgrading of assets continue to take place across the UK network, including electrification and modernisation schemes in excess of £2.8 billion, Crossrail 2 valued at £32 billion, the Digital Railway programme worth up to £450 million and the Thameslink project valued at £6.5 billion, to name but a few. The exhibition will again display its effectivity in enabling the supply sector to demonstrate its response to these opportunities as the industry’s premier networking event for rail infrastructure. Exhibitors from the full scope of infrastructure sectors will be on display, including track construction and maintenance companies, signalling, communications and passenger information specialists, electrification contractors and equipment providers, measurement, monitoring and testing system suppliers, station equipment and system providers and civil engineering companies, amongst others. The recently agreed Rail Sector Deal, based on four key pillars- Digital Railway, Data, Sustainable Railway and Exports, will also feature heavily at the exhibition, with a range of exhibitors and supporting features planned around these themes. Historically, Infrarail has been the industry’s favoured meeting place for key decision makers, government bodies and buyers, managers, project leaders and engineers active in the supply chain. Visitors will be in attendance from around the world with 200+ organisations anticipated to be exhibiting from countries across the globe, including Germany, Austria, Italy, Netherlands and Spain to name a few. The show also offers a strong supporting programme of keynote speeches, technical seminars, project updates and discussion forums, all of which will be revealed in the coming months. Infrarail will undoubtedly put exhibitors and visitors at the centre of the huge opportunities currently available on the UK’s rail network. Leads will be created, insightful discussions will be had and connections made at London’s Olympia next year. Stand space is now available to be booked at Infrarail 2020. For more details, visit www.infrarail.com.
Innovative demolition specialist AR Demolition has continued investing in its business with a revitalised earthworks and soil remediation team. The East Midlands firm, which is based at Carlton near Nuneaton, has taken on a new team of earthworks and remediation specialists, to rejuvenate its offering in providing the full suite of demolition-related enabling functions. The team will be led by AR Demolition’s operations director Matt Barrow, who formerly headed up the operational delivery of the remediation arm at Keltbray following a decade in civil engineering and soil stabilisation roles. He is joined by compliance manager Felicity Barnard, an industry-proven remediation professional who brings an MSc in Environmental Science alongside a certificate of technical competence to her new role. AR Demolition are also actively recruiting to support growth in this discipline. Mr Barrow said: “Earthworks and remediation have always been part of AR Demolition’s armoury. Now we have a dedicated team with a specialist skillset so we can relaunch our offering, communicating to current and future clients that we can provide a turnkey solution for fully enabled construction-ready sites. “We will bring AR Demolition’s customer-focused, innovative approach across the board, from inception to planning, asbestos removal, demolition, right through to remediation and earthworks “What this specialist knowledge will provide is bespoke, collaborative, design-led solutions for our clients. “We have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant regulations and we can manage the process – through planning and delivery to sign-off. “As AR Demolition rejuvenates its business and its offering, it’s really exciting to be part of a genuinely innovative company, which wants to place clients first and has designs on revolutionising the image and the work of the demolition industry.” AR Demolition was founded by managing director Richard Dolman in 2007 and, following a period of restructuring and stabilisation in 2017, the company reported a record start to 2018 and is shortly to announce this year’s turnover figures and profits. The latest investment follows significant investment in new plant and machinery, including £1.5m spent on three new cutting-edge high reach Kiesel machines in 2018 after previous investment of £1m in 2016. AR Demolition is also unique among small demolition contractors in having its own aggregates recycling facility, at its AR Aggregates urban quarry in nearby Leicester. Mr Dolman said that he and the leadership team at AR Demolition is keen to develop the company into a new type of demolition contractor, one where quality, safety and innovation – particularly in terms of sustainability and recruitment – were placed at the forefront. He said: “Our revamped remediation service is another example of how we are looking to offer our clients a spectrum of services where quality and innovation stand alongside sustainability and efficiency. “Matt and his team will provide a valuable service that we hope can play an important role, not just in providing our customers with the best possible service but also to help with urban regeneration. “AR Demolition is gradually turning into the company we have all visualised – it’s an exciting time for all of us here and great to see our continued development, setting an example for what a small demolition contractor of the 21st Century can be.”
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) announces the appointment of industry heavyweight, Andrew Stamps, as National Head of Infrastructure with immediate effect. This announcement is the latest in a series from RLB UK, marking the firm’s continuing growth as it heads into a new financial year. Stamps, who previously worked as a Director at Turner & Townsend, has over 30 years’ worth of experience of commercial leadership in the delivery of major infrastructure projects and frameworks including projects with Scottish Water, Sellafield Ltd, URENCO, Anglian Water, Eon, Severn Trent Water, Network Rail, Highways England, Birmingham Airport and Transport for Greater Manchester. RLB UK already works on significant infrastructure projects both globally and nationally with the sector equating to 10% of its UK turnover in 2018/19. The firm estimates that by 2030 this will grow to 20%. Mark Weaver, RLB UK Board Director, comments, “Although we have been working in the Infrastructure sector for many years, bringing Andrew in to head up this area reinforces the importance of this market to us. Underpinning our growth strategy, we are committed to having first rate talent in our business to be able to provide the best services to our clients and Andrew’s experience is second to none.” Andrew Stamps, Partner and National Head of Infrastructure at RLB UK, comments, “It is an exciting time at RLB. It is a company that is rapidly growing across the services it offers and the sectors it provides those services in. I am looking forward to working with the existing team and clients to help build this area of the business and be part of the senior management team that can deliver on our growth aspirations.”
