Work has begun on the infrastructure to transform the iconic 75 acre West Works site at West Longbridge. The £20m infrastructure investment is the next step in the £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge which will see the derelict West Works site transformed into the high quality Longbridge Business Park with
Brock Carmichael has worked with C. Gars Ltd. for over six years as it expanded operations across the UK to now six locations. Its latest location is in the heart of London offering one of the World’s best selection of luxury cigars and spirits to a discerning clientele. Situated within
New starters in Building and Industrial teams CBRE has bolstered its team in Leeds with a round of new hires across the National Building Consultancy and Industrial service lines. Dan Wells has been appointed as Senior Project Manager and Tom Wright joins as Building Surveyor. Davina Hyde-Sykes joins the team
With water damage proving to be one of the most frequently reported insurance claims in buildings, the latest in ultrasound technology offers a promising solution to avoid costly damage in vulnerable commercial buildings. According to ABI, insurers pay out £1.8 million for residential water damage every day. Causes can relate
Opening of new regional office away from its St Albans head office comes in response to rapid growth in projects across the north west. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced that it has opened a new
Despite a four year delay, the latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has found that house prices surrounding Crossrail stations are still largely outperforming the wider areas in which they are located. Last week, a ‘crucial milestone’ was reached as testing began on the long-awaited
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is an annual bidding round offered by the government for academies and sixth form colleges to apply for capital funding, with the objective of identifying buildings in need of repair and ensuring they’re safe. While the initial bidding stage doesn’t begin until the new school
Mobile Mini UK’s SHEQ team has been crowned ‘Safety Team of the Year Highly Commended Winner 2021’ this month by the British Safety Council at the International Safety Awards. Out of 292 organisations of all sizes and sectors, including businesses from the UK, Africa, Asia, India, mainland Europe and the
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Specialists S&P UK have released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural ventilation
Keystone brick slip feature lintels have successfully balanced the traditional with the contemporary and brought an exceptional level of detailing as part of the Station Approach development, which has been designed and based on the concept of converted Victorian railway buildings. Close to the Georgian market town of Marlow, Buckinghamshire,
Work has begun on the infrastructure to transform the iconic 75 acre West Works site at West Longbridge. The £20m infrastructure investment is the next step in the £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge which will see the derelict West Works site transformed into the high quality Longbridge Business Park with 900,000 sq ft of commercial space creating up to 5,000 jobs and an attractive new residential neighbourhood of 350 homes. St. Modwen is working in partnership with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and this key milestone follows the recent announcement of a £6m grant funding contribution from the WMCA to unlock the West Works scheme. Longbridge Business Park will provide a home for advanced manufacturing, high tech, research and development, health and science uses. The first phase of works is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Rob Flavell, Senior Director for Regeneration in the Midlands and North for St. Modwen, said: “The West Works site is a vital piece of the ongoing regeneration of Longbridge Town Centre and to see the first spades in the ground is a huge milestone for the area. “Our plans for West Longbridge signify our key objectives for the wider redevelopment of Longbridge – creating an amazing place with modern working environments, high-quality homes and attractive public spaces which will bring wide ranging benefits to those who live, work or visit the area. “This first phase of infrastructure works will help us to accelerate the delivery of the site. We’ve already been receiving strong enquiries from high-quality, renowned businesses for the commercial spaces and we’re looking forward to working with prospective occupiers to create environments which will produce jobs for local people and contributions to the local economy.” Andy Street, who was re-elected Mayor of the West Midlands last weekend (Saturday May 8), added: “One of my election pledges was to create 100,000 new jobs for the region over the next two years, and regeneration of derelict industrial sites is going to be critical to achieving that. “That’s why we are using the money we have secured from Government to transform sites like Longbridge West Works into thriving new workplaces and communities. “The regeneration of this once iconic site is a first-class example of how we are bringing brownfield sites back into use, creating thousands of jobs and homes as well as new, modern industrial spaces. “The pandemic has hit this region hard but by investing in our future in this way and in the type of hi-tech, green industries that will be based at the new Longbridge Business Park, I am confident we can recapture our pre-pandemic success and drive an economic recovery that benefits all our communities and the environment.” St. Modwen is offering design and build opportunities on freehold and leasehold terms and has seen strong demand from the market over the past year. Occupiers will benefit from the established town centre amenities, beautiful green spaces, a wide range of modern homes and excellent sustainable transport links. Improvement works include a new green way along a one mile stretch of the River Rea, allowing the river to be opened up to the public via new footpaths and cycle routes connecting West Longbridge and Rubery to Longbridge Town Centre. West Longbridge will also feature 27 acres of open green space connected to the nearby Austin Park, in a drive to increase biodiversity and promote health and wellbeing across Longbridge. The West Works investment is the latest in a series of key milestones at Longbridge as momentum increases in 2021. It follows recent announcements including a new green heart in the Town Centre, public realm improvements on Longbridge Lane and a new link from Austin Park to West Longbridge along with a unique public art installation. So far St. Modwen has overseen the regeneration of around half of the wider Longbridge works which it bought in 2003. Once complete, it is expected to create up to 4,000 new homes, two million sq ft of commercial development and 10,000 jobs, transforming Longbridge into a modern, attractive environment in which to live and work. For more information about the ongoing regeneration of Longbridge, go to www.longbridgebirmingham.co.uk.
Brock Carmichael has worked with C. Gars Ltd. for over six years as it expanded operations across the UK to now six locations. Its latest location is in the heart of London offering one of the World’s best selection of luxury cigars and spirits to a discerning clientele. Situated within the Smithson’s listed Economist Building this retail unit, on the ground floor of the Bank Building in Smithson’s Plaza, suffered all the challenges a Grade II* listed building can offer. The design needed to remain sensitive to its Brutalist origins, whilst appealing to visitors, and functional, whilst being compact and multi-facetted. Additionally, the restrictions on the sale of tobacco meant most of the products could not be displayed to entice entry. The site chosen for the new retail unit, which was formerly an estate agent, had a considerable number of challenges for Brock Carmichael who were responsible for the design, planning and licensing applications, coordination and delivery to a tight timescale, during lockdown. Alterations to 23a St James’s Street included: • External improvements and restorations to the original features, • The installation of chrome feature display shelving that encased the perimeter of the unit, that integrated a sales point, stock storage, ventilation and 12 personal cigar lockers, • The creation of a glass fronted walk-in Humidor that allows for nearly 360 degrees of stunning product displays, with climate and humidity controls, • A new sales floor and sampling area, • An illuminated glass feature light within the retail space and a new lighting design. Both the humidor and the retail floor area have an impressive and very quiet smoke filtration system. This involved the addition of a very high specification HVAC ventilation system and associated ducting, concealed in perimeter boxing at a high level, with nothing visible or audible from the street. Externally, along with the restoration work, new window displays were created, which needed to serve a dual function, display product and attract customers, but also, in accordance with SSI 2013/85, prevent any display of the tobacco products inside. This was achieved by layering displays of Spirits and Cigar accessories. Additional internal improvements included improved access, new flooring, new lighting, new security systems and an entirely new WC and storage area design. Tobias Bachra, the Lead Designer from Brock Carmichael responsible for the project added; “It was important for us to pay homage to Alison and Peter Smithson who designed the 1964 Economist Plaza ‘a milestone in the canon of modern architecture’. The plaza has stood the test of time and is rightly Grade II* listed. Interior designs for 23a St James’s Street are also reminiscent of their 1956 ‘House of the Future’ for the Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia with its curves, bold shapes and efficient use of the space available.” He added; “We all really enjoyed working on this project and as part of a team too, with the client, the contractors and engineers.” Managing Partner at Brock Carmichael, Chis Bolland added; “We’re delighted to have now completed our fifth successful project for C. Gars Ltd. now Dominique London, they are a business we love working with. From being early pioneers in internet retail they continue to push the boundaries in luxury retail and hospitality, with innovation as standard.” Client Mitchell Orchant, managing director of C. Gars Ltd. and CCO of Dominique London said; “Two things impress us most about Brock Carmichael, the ability for us to relax knowing they will improve on our vision and get the work done with the minimum of fuss. The second is the people. Our reputation is built on quality and they don’t let us down. For this project, most impressive were their illustrations and images and how they were brought to life exactly as we’d approved.” Plans for the future at St James’s include cigar sampling, whisky tastings and events to add to retail which means the space has to work hard and be flexible. Other work for C. Gars by Brock Carmichael continues.
New starters in Building and Industrial teams CBRE has bolstered its team in Leeds with a round of new hires across the National Building Consultancy and Industrial service lines. Dan Wells has been appointed as Senior Project Manager and Tom Wright joins as Building Surveyor. Davina Hyde-Sykes joins the team as PA to support the Building Consultancy and Engineering teams across the North, based in Leeds. The Industrial team has appointed Danielle Raunjak as Assistant Surveyor, joining from CBRE’s London office where she worked for 3 years. Forming part of a wider Building Consultancy team of more than 30, Dan Wells joins from Gardiner & Theobold and Turner & Townsend, where he delivered a range of projects spanning new build education facilities, hotel refurbishment and the largest CAT A office building in Leeds with a contract value of £84M. Dan’s role at CBRE is as a senior lead and Project Manager with focus on delivery of capital schemes across a range of sectors and property types. Following a 13 year service as a Royal Air Force mechanical technician, Dan has successfully delivered a range of projects across Leeds and London. Tom Wright joins from Knight Frank where he acted for commercial clients on a wide range of instructions across office, industrial, retail and leisure properties. His role with CBRE will see him working on a range of core Building Surveying instructions for commercial clients across the North East. CBRE also announces two promotions with Charles Parkinson promoted to Associate Director in the Office Agency team and Alison Mackay becomes Associate Director in Planning. Two new graduates also join the CBRE Leeds office – Sam Berry joins Planning and Tom Kruger joins Building Consultancy. Charles Parkinson joined CBRE’s Office Agency team in 2019 as a senior surveyor from Garness Jones Ltd to work on Landlords office space and occupier projects. Alison Mackay joined CBRE’s UK Planning team in 2018 from Colliers to support the firm’s growing project workload. Alison’s expertise in large complex commercial planning applications and land promotion across multiple service lines has been instrumental in her success. Richard Bamford, MD, CBRE Leeds commented: “We are delighted to welcome both Dan and Tom to the National Building Consultancy team. The sector has remained resilient despite the pandemic and we look forward to harnessing their experience and expertise to grow our project workload and complement the wider team. Davina will also be a great addition to Leeds to support both the Building and Engineering teams across the North of England and it’s great to welcome two bright young graduates to the Leeds Planning and Building teams. Congratulations also to both Charles and Alison on their well-deserved promotions to Associate Director. We look forward to a busy and exciting year ahead.”
With water damage proving to be one of the most frequently reported insurance claims in buildings, the latest in ultrasound technology offers a promising solution to avoid costly damage in vulnerable commercial buildings. According to ABI, insurers pay out £1.8 million for residential water damage every day. Causes can relate to a number of issues such as corrosion, limescale and frost compromising old pipes, as well as accidental drilling of new systems, all of which can have disastrous effects in commercial buildings. According to an expert from AXA[1], particularly vulnerable buildings include those that have just been built, vacant, or reduced occupancy – as are many buildings currently due to the pandemic. The message comes from polymer company, REHAU which has recently unveiled a pioneering smart water control system using the latest in ultrasound technology – RE.GUARD. With most drip-based leaks usually going unnoticed, and burst pipes then leading to severe damage, REHAU is encouraging specifiers, contractors and facilities managers to take advantage of this new prevention technology. REHAU’s RE.GUARD smart control water system monitors the water flow rate assessing it in real time due to integrated software. The innovative new system is comprised of four main components: a smart water controller, water sensors, a hub gateway and an app. Water damage issues pose increased risk in commercial buildings such as offices as they generally have more water features than residential homes, including more toilet facilities, air conditioning, water coolers, and coffee machines connected to the mains. The RE.GUARD smart water controller helps to detect burst pipes and drip leaks by shutting off the water supply to mitigate damage. It is installed after the water meter which allows it to also measure water consumption, and has the ability to be manually turned on and off. The controller is supported by RE.GUARD water sensors which detect leaking water in critical areas even faster by being positioned throughout the building. It connects to the RE.GUARD smart water controller via the Z-Wave radio standard and includes an extension cable for places that are particularly difficult to reach. All devices are connected to the Internet via the RE.HUB gateway which can easily be connected to a building’s router. Essential information is then available to the property manager at a glance which also helps to identify sustainable ways to save on water consumption. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions said: “Not only is water damage an expensive problem to face for building owners, it can also result in the formation of mould within just 24 hours of moisture penetrating a building structure, which is harmful to health and requires extensive remediation work. The unfortunate reality is that many property owners don’t find out until it’s too late. “With smart technology now embedded into most of our daily lives, we just knew there should be a better solution to this issue. We monitor the health of our bodies, so why shouldn’t we monitor the health of our buildings? It really is an exciting new gadget which we believe can help building professionals by providing a cost-effective safety net.” To find out more, visit: www.rehau.uk/reguard [1] https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/opinion/containing-escape-of-water-claims-in-commercial-buildings-161150.aspx
Opening of new regional office away from its St Albans head office comes in response to rapid growth in projects across the north west. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced that it has opened a new regional office in Manchester city centre in response to the increasing number of projects it is working on across the north west. The office is situated within the iconic Neo Building in the heart of the central business district and is the second regional office that Glencar has opened away from its St Albans HQ. The opening of this new office in the North West together with the Birmingham office is a real indicator of regional expansion with turnover expected to reach £250M this year. Several new positions have been created as a result of the office opening including the recruitment of Dawa Singh as North Regional Director from Sheffield based national construction company J.F Finnegan where he served as Head of Pre-Construction. Talking about the opening of the new office, Pete Goodman Glencar Managing Director Midlands and North said: “Over the past twelve months Glencar have been awarded a number of high-profile project instructions at sites throughout the north west and it makes sense to have a permanent presence in this region to be closer to our customers and continue our expansion in this fast-growing UK region, part of the northern powerhouse”. Amongst the projects that Glencar have been appointed on and delivered recently at sites across the north west – including several projects ongoing currently include: Construction of two speculative logistics warehouse units of 90,000 and 138,000 sq ft respectively for PLP at its Ellesmere Port scheme adjacent to Junction 8 of the M53 motorway. Both units were completed on time and on budget in April 2021. The construction in 27 weeks of two speculative logistics units of 92,000 and 43,000 sq ft also for PLP at its Crewe Commercial park development with both units subsequently let to Brightstar, the world’s leading provider of integrated solutions for the mobile and financial service industries. Glencar is currently onsite implementing fit-out works. Fit out works on a 525,600 sq ft warehouse at Haydock, St Helens occupied by Kellogg Company. Works were carried out while the facility was live. Talking about the market and opportunities across the region Dawa Singh, Glencar North Regional Director said: “The Northern Region (West and East) is demonstrating significant market confidence and prosperity, allowing our new Manchester regional office to track and secure considerable tender and contract value opportunities. This ensures a robust new work pipe-line during 2021/22 and beyond”.
Despite a four year delay, the latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has found that house prices surrounding Crossrail stations are still largely outperforming the wider areas in which they are located. Last week, a ‘crucial milestone’ was reached as testing began on the long-awaited Crossrail route and the research by Benham and Reeves shows that, on average, property values in postcodes home to a Crossrail station sit 17% higher than the wider area. Current Crossrail Property Price Premiums Current property prices in postcodes due to benefit from a Crossrail station currently average £572,686, 17% higher compared to the average £490,429 across the wider districts in which they are found. Tottenham Court Road is home to the highest Crossrail boost, with property prices in the W1 postcode currently averaging just shy of £2m, 140% higher than the wider borough of Camden (£822,936). Bond Street (97%), Liverpool Street (55%), Twyford (40%), Gidea Park (32%), Iver (27%), Whitechapel (26%), West Ealing (22%), Shenfield (21%) and Canary Wharf (17%) are also home to some of the largest Crossrail property price premiums. Crossrail Property Price Growth Since Crossrail was approved in July 2008, property values in postcodes due to benefit from a station have climbed by 65% on average, far higher than the 39% seen across the UK. Crossrail stations within London have seen prices increase at an even greater rate, up 71% since 2008, although this rate of growth sits at the same level as London as a whole. Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street have, again, seen the biggest boost with values in the W1 postcode climbing by 172%. Woolwich has also seen a notable jump with property prices up 122%, along with West Ealing (97%), Twyford (92%) and Maryland and Stratford (89%). However, the research by Benham and Reeves shows that in addition to Crossrail station house prices sitting 17% higher than their wider areas today, this premium has also increased from 14% since it was first approved. This boost in Crossrail house prices is even more substantial across some stations. In 2008, property prices in Tottenham Court Road’s W1 postcode were 39% higher than the wider area of Camden. However, today this premium sits at 140%, a 101% increase in the price premium paid for Crossrail properties. Crossrail also seems to be reversing negative price trends found around stations due to benefit. In Woolwich, for example, the average house price in the Crossrail postcode of SE18 was £181,022 in 2008, -23% lower than the wider borough of Greenwich (£233,729). Today, the average price in the postcode has increased to £401,326 and while it remains lower than the average for Greenwich as a whole (£421,221), this gap has closed to just -5%. In other areas, Crossrail house prices have seen a complete turnaround. In 2008, the average property price in the IG postcode (£254,328), home to the Goodmayes and Seven Kings Crossrail stations, came in -6% below the wider borough of Redbridge (£271,019). Today, the postcode is home to an average property price of £478,831, 5% higher than the average of £456,098 seen across Redbridge as a whole – an 11% swing on the premium paid for homes close to the Crossrail station. Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “Despite the ongoing and extensive delays, Crossrail remains one of the most eagerly anticipated developments to the London landscape in recent times. It’s set to transform the way we traverse the capital by train and will substantially shorten journey times for both Londoners, and those commuting from further afield. So it’s hardly surprising that despite its late arrival, many areas due to benefit continue to see a substantial rate of property price growth, with homes surrounding a Crossrail station also commanding a notable premium when compared to the wider area in which they are located. This strong market performance also comes against a backdrop of Covid uncertainty which has seen London underperform to some extent when compared to other regions of the UK. However, the capital has started to regain momentum with many now returning to work as lockdown restrictions are eased and so we expect to see house prices along the Crossrail route continue to climb as its launch approaches.” Table shows the top 10 Crossrail stations with the largest property price premium when compared to the wider area CrossRail Station Outcode Average Crossrail Postcode Property Price Wider area Average Property Price Difference (%) Tottenham Court Road W1 £1,972,185 Camden £822,936 140% Bond Street W1 £1,972,185 City of Westminster £1,000,560 97% Liverpool Street EC2 £1,046,782 City of London £675,309 55% Twyford RG10 £581,908 Wokingham £416,164 40% Gidea Park RM2 £500,367 Havering £378,213 32% Iver SL0 £534,069 Buckinghamshire £419,428 27% Whitechapel E1 £574,017 Tower Hamlets £455,633 26% West Ealing W13 £634,733 Ealing £520,674 22% Shenfield CM15 £538,243 Brentwood £445,723 21% Canary Wharf E14 £533,976 Tower Hamlets £455,633 17% Average £572,686 Average £490,429 17% Table shows the top 10 largest increases in Crossrail house prices since the scheme was approved in July 2008 CrossRail Station Outcode Average Crossrail Property Price – July 2008 Current Average Crossrail Property Price Change % Tottenham Court Road/Bond Street W1 £725,603 £1,972,185 172% Woolwich SE18 £181,022 £401,326 122% West Ealing W13 £322,644 £634,733 97% Twyford RG10 £303,248 £581,908 92% Maryland/Stratford E15 £232,879 £439,325 89% Goodmayes/Seven Kings IG3 £254,328 £478,831 88% Abbey Wood SE2 £196,698 £368,266 87% Forest Gate E7 £234,723 £437,470 86% Manor Park E12 £222,916 £401,192 80% Romford RM1 £199,635 £354,024 77% Average (All Crossrail Stations) £322,981 £534,284 65% Average (London Crossrail Stations) £329,637 £564,046 71% Average UK House Price £290,261 £496,269 39% Average London House Price £179,845 £250,341 71% Table shows the top 10 Crossrail stations to see the biggest change in property price difference vs the wider area between 2008 and now CrossRail Station Outcode Wider area Crossrail property price vs wider area 2008 Crossrail property price vs wider area 2021 Change in Crossrail price
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is an annual bidding round offered by the government for academies and sixth form colleges to apply for capital funding, with the objective of identifying buildings in need of repair and ensuring they’re safe. While the initial bidding stage doesn’t begin until the new school term in September, Sunny Lotay, national commercial manager at PermaRoof UK, discusses how it’s never too early to prepare for your submission and how suppliers can assist local authorities with the bidding process. CIF funding improves the facilities of schools, academies and colleges – so applying for the capital grant is essential for the development, maintenance and safety of education establishments. The CIF provides financial support for a wide range of schemes, having funded 1,400 projects across England in the 2019-2020 academic year, but does tend to prioritise certain applications – namely roof, window and central heating replacements. Bidding for CIF funding opens at the beginning of the autumn term and is awarded in the spring – normally around April. But for any college or sixth form thinking they might be in need of flat roof repairs, the time is now to start preparing, and that’s where experienced commercial specification managers can provide vital support in securing the grant. Carrying out surveys The first step in any potential flat roofing project is to investigate the condition of the roof and conduct a survey to find improvements that are required to bring it back up to regulations – from checking thermal regulation and fall of water discharge, to structural soundness and whether there are enough outlets. A survey of this kind is essentially looking to pre-empt any problems before they occur and provide a solution to the roof’s current state. This means that, depending on the results of the survey, there might not be any action required. As a result of this, when finding a specification manager to carry out the survey, it’s important that you opt for someone who is able to offer no obligation, completely free of charge surveys, core testing and condition reports, like PermaRoof, which can then be used to support a CIF submission – if one is required. Arranging quotes and guaranteeing warranties Once the next steps have been identified, getting a quote for the work that needs to be carried out can support your CIF application as it evidences exactly how the funding will be utilised. As schools play a significant role in society, it makes sense that when refurbishing existing sites, materials that guarantee longevity are specified – creating a legacy for generations to come. Warranties are the most effective way to guarantee quality assurance – providing vital protection and security – and will be beneficial in your application in showing sound investment. Choosing a full system from a reputable brand will usually mean the inclusion of a warranty – giving you further peace of mind. But do remember to check the guarantee you are being offered as some cheaper options may only offer a five-year warranty, whereas more reputable brands, such as Firestone, will deliver up to 20 years. At PermaRoof, we have access to a national network of registered installers who will be able to provide a quote for the project, with full support and warranties assured. All our contractors have learned the correct method of installing our flagship system – Firestone RubberCover single ply EPDM – and come with a warranty as standard. However, this doesn’t mean our commercial team steps back. We stay on-hand to provide project management and a full consultative approach, offering that much-needed peace of mind that the correct contractor and solutions are being sought and provided. Collating the findings Once the full roof survey has been completed, the report written and full quotes arranged, it’s time to collate the findings into a report to be submitted to the CIF. What’s worth bearing in mind is that every case is unique and has its own timeline – there is no one size fits all. Funding can either happen quickly or it can take up to two years. Usually, funding will be gained retrospectively after completion, however, depending on the severity of the project, there are occasions where it can be awarded while the project is ongoing or even beforehand. Bringing in the experts The UK’s educational establishments are vitally important to our country’s future. The fact they remained open to support vulnerable students and the children of key workers throughout the course of the Covid-19 pandemic is a testament to the fact that schools simply can’t close – regardless of what is happening in the world, there will also be a need for certain school places. Therefore, it’s in everyone’s best interests to ensure the buildings themselves are maintained to the highest possible standard – and CIF funding helps to contribute towards this. Whether contractors and suppliers are brought in to assist with a reactive issue (for example a leaky roof) or a proactive approach (such as a full roof overlay), ensuring you’re getting a comprehensive service that offers a guiding hand from initial consultation through to tender and final sign off means academies and sixth form colleges can focus on educating the next generation – some of whom could decide to pursue a career in building products. For more information on PermaRoof, please visit www.permaroof.co.uk or call 01773 608839.
Mobile Mini UK’s SHEQ team has been crowned ‘Safety Team of the Year Highly Commended Winner 2021’ this month by the British Safety Council at the International Safety Awards. Out of 292 organisations of all sizes and sectors, including businesses from the UK, Africa, Asia, India, mainland Europe and the Middle East, only Mobile Mini UK succeeded in being crowned overall Team of the Year highly commended winner. These awards, which are now in their 63rd year, span all sectors with significant representation from construction, manufacturing, oil, gas, mining, power and utility organisations. They aim to celebrate organisations that have shown dedication to keeping their workers and workplaces healthy and safe. The team of the year category recognises outstanding achievements resulting in a significant improvement to health, safety and wellbeing, from a collaboration of stakeholders. The study submitted by the Mobile Mini UK SHEQ team focused on alliances and teamwork during the evolving coronavirus pandemic and was reviewed and adjudicated by several safety professionals. This detailed how the different teams within Mobile Mini quickly aligned and adapted to ensure that the risk of Covid-19 could be adequately managed internally, allowing operational teams to provide a prompt service externally. Key features included the fast procurement of equipment and PPE, the rapidly facilitated switch from office working to home working, skeleton office teams working safely in socially distanced modified offices and the continued successful delivery of units to the frontline. Underpinning all of these changes was the Covid-19 risk assessment process, which was designed to ensure that all stakeholders had ongoing input. All teams responded admirably to these changes and no employee was injured as a result. This steadfast engagement and teamwork were some of the biggest factors in the business safely navigating through the worst of the pandemic and undoubtedly contributed to the judging panel’s decision when deeming Mobile Mini as worthy Team of the Year winners. Chris Watcham, Health and Safety Director at Mobile Mini UK said, “Winning this highly respected award is a truly remarkable achievement given the company we were in. This is an incredible endorsement from an internationally recognised and sought-after awarding body. We believe this benchmark and the illustrious company we find ourselves in, further establishes our unwavering commitment to Safety, Health and Environment. We have always been proud of our industry-leading health and safety record, but this has become even more integral to expectations post the coronavirus pandemic. Although this was a safety award, the obvious input and teamwork from all teams within the business made this possible. Our thanks go out to all teams across the business who continue to make achievements like this possible.” Last month three Mobile Mini UK sites, North East, North West and South Wales, achieved Merit safety from the British Safety Council. Recognisable businesses to have successfully obtained passes, merits or distinctions previously include the likes of BAE Systems, GlaxoSmithKline, Sodexho, Kier, Wilmott Dixon and Volker. Congratulating Mobile Mini on their award, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, said, “The long list of winners of the International Safety Awards shows that an increasing number of companies are embracing the management of health and safety risks as an enabler of business, benefiting people, companies and society but none more so than Mobile Mini UK, as an overall highly commended winner. The team has shown a true alignment with the vision of the British Safety Council that no one should be injured or made ill through their work – anywhere in the world. My warmest congratulations to Mobile Mini UK as overall 2021 Team of the Year winner, you should be truly proud of your achievement.”
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Specialists S&P UK have released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural ventilation should be used to improve air quality and curb the risk of contracting airborne diseases such as Covid in indoor environments. With lockdown easing and the UK vaccination rollout on track, more businesses, office managers, headteachers and other building owners are seeking clarity from the government, the scientific community and industry bodies on how best to minimise the spread of Covid in an enclosed space. Covid is spread via infectious aerosols which can stay airborne for long periods, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. The study by S&P UK found mechanical ventilation systems reduce by half the risk of Covid aerosol transmission compared to natural ventilation, such as opening windows and doors which has the added disadvantage of letting in noise, pollution and cold air in the winter. The detailed scientific modelling and analysis by S&P researchers considered three scenarios: schools, offices, and bars/restaurants. After four days in a classroom of 24 students wearing masks and an infected teacher, the accumulated probability of infection is 21% with natural ventilation – or five pupils infected. With the mechanical one, it is 9% – or two pupils infected. With no ventilation, seven contract Covid. If a student is positive rather than the teacher, the numbers are halved. In the winter, opening windows for 10 minutes every hour results in a 4.8% infection rate, meaning four cases after day four – twice as high. Meanwhile, in a restaurant with 35 unmasked customers but a masked infected waiter, with natural ventilation, two customers are infected in the first two hours, and two more are infected over the second two-hour period, giving a total of four cases. With mechanical, it is halved to one infected customer in each two-hour period, or a total of two. In an open plan office with 40 workers where one is infected, with everyone wearing masks, there are four infected employees after four days with natural ventilation, and two with mechanical. With no masks, it rises to 13 with open windows and eight with mechanical. There are long-held concerns that most offices only recirculate existing air with air-conditioning units, rather than pumping in fresh air using mechanical ventilation systems. “Our research shows that investing in mechanical ventilation systems must be considered by anyone who helps to manage any indoor space, whether that’s a headteacher, an office manager or a restaurant owner. That’s because our evidence is clear: mechanised ventilation systems are twice as good as natural ventilation when it comes to reducing the risk of spreading airborne diseases like Covid-19 indoors,” said Alex Finch, managing director of S&P UK. “There’s plenty of generic advice on ventilation but so many sections of society are crying out for official and clear-cut guidance on the exact best ventilation for typical scenarios. We also recognise that the failure to distinguish between indoor mechanical or natural ventilation as part of this ongoing debate is not surprising as it’s a complex and new challenge. “But we believe our research, inspected by our technical teams, will add some weighty evidence for specialists across the H&V sector and can help provide clarity for those who are looking to actively improve their work environments to minimise transmission of Covid.”
Keystone brick slip feature lintels have successfully balanced the traditional with the contemporary and brought an exceptional level of detailing as part of the Station Approach development, which has been designed and based on the concept of converted Victorian railway buildings. Close to the Georgian market town of Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and adjacent to a commuter branch line, ‘The Old Coal Yard’ Station Approach has been built by Bellwood Homes and features three Victorian-style buildings consisting of three, two-bedroom houses; eight, two-bedroom apartments and a one-bedroom apartment. In keeping with the Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian styles of architecture in Marlow, the housebuilder’s specification required brickwork which maintained the character and fabric of heritage buildings with Keystone Lintels able to meet the brief. Working with Bellwood Homes, Keystone’s technical engineer designed extra heavy-duty brick slip feature arch lintels for ground, first and second floor openings with a 1085mm span and 543mm rise. Over 40 brick slip arches were manufactured by Keystone’s production team to a high quality and consistent finish. Each Hoskins Maltings Antique brick was cut to size and bonded using a BBA-approved construction adhesive to the load bearing lintels. The patented perforated lintel design of a Keystone Brick Slip Feature Lintel allowed the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the brick slips. The offsite economical solution did not require skilled bricklayers on site to replicate each traditional arch. This saved approximately labour costs of one bricklayer per arch per day and ultimately, weeks of the project build schedule. All prefabricated lintels were delivered to site and ready for final pointing in line with the phased construction plan of the three buildings being erected. The arches produced in a factory controlled environment were unaffected by torrential rain and winter-reduced daylight hours limiting productivity. This often occurs on other build schedules which leads to further delays in creating architectural features with real significance to the landscape. The offsite construction method facilitated onsite construction further by supporting bricklayers to recreate window tax designs, bricked-up window spaces seen in buildings from the Victorian period. The detail of the façade is prominent most through the repetition of window arches positioned symmetrically on elevations facing Marlow station. Keystone’s heavy-duty special segmental arches measuring a 2400mm span, with either a 600mm or 450mm rise provide a modern contemporary twist which feature above glazed bedroom windows and are in complete contrast to the smaller traditional arched windows, striking a balance between old and new architecture. “There was an initial uplift in costs for Keystone’s prefabricated brick slip feature lintels, but we did make savings elsewhere. By not creating traditional arches through bricklayers and using an offsite construction method we did not encounter weather disruption, resulting in increased productivity during winter hours, reduced labour costs and brick wastage. Each arch would normally take, on estimate, a day to complete per brick layer with a bricklayer hod carrier. We used 45 Keystone brick slip feature arches which saved weeks off the build schedule, not including rents on scaffolding,” said Matthew McGill, Site Manager at Bellwood Homes. Keystone is the largest supplier of steel lintels in the UK and Ireland and carries more stock than any of its rivals. For bespoke applications, architects, housebuilders and contractors can specify brick feature requirements by utilising Keystone’s free Brick Slip Feature Lintel design service. Keystone Brick Slip Feature lintels have once again played a significant role in an exemplary new development requiring complex brickwork detailing whilst facilitating a faster build schedule on-site.
