SUPPLIERS have been invited to tender for Pagabo’s latest framework – the second generation of its popular Medium Works framework – for which the tender documents have now been published. The new generation of the framework will run for four years from January 2023, taking the place of the current
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to follow the example of Germany, which has announced plans to spend €177.5bn on climate action, including €56bn on a huge programme of building renovations. Germany’s Climate and Transformation Fund aims to reduce the 30% of the country’s total
Chubb, the UK’s leading provider of fire-safety and security solutions, is proud to launch an accelerated development programme designed to attract and train new industry-entrants in partnership with Zitko Talent, the world’s leading recruitment agency for the Fire and Security industry. The accelerated development programme will last approximately 18 weeks,
Design, fit out and refurbishment specialist, Calztec, is proud to announce it has secured two new projects with Powell Williams and Gerald Eve. Project One Gerald Eve awarded Calztec the dilapidations repair, reinstatement and improvement works across 105,819 sq. ft. of Unit One in Winsford. This project consists of demolition
With the threat of climate change being high, many people want to help in their own way. As a building owner, you are in an excellent position to make significant changes to your building. The general opinion is that integrating these innovations into the building can get expensive. However, modern
SUPPLIERS have been invited to tender for Pagabo’s latest framework – the second generation of its popular Medium Works framework – for which the tender documents have now been published. The new generation of the framework will run for four years from January 2023, taking the place of the current iteration, which expires in December. It will provide a compliant and collaborative route to market for public sector clients to procure medium-sized construction projects valued at up to £10 million. With a total value of £1 billion, the framework will be split into four lots, with up to nine contractors allocated to each region under each lot across core and reserve supplier appointments. There are a number of these places reserved for SMEs to ensure fair access for suppliers of all sizes and to promote ample choice for clients, while generating the most positive social impact for communities. Lot 1 – £50k to £500k Lot 2 – £500k to £1m Lot 3 – £1m to £5m Lot 4 – £5m to £10m Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “The current Medium Works framework is one of our most active construction offerings, having seen more than 150 projects procured through it to date. It’s proved a popular option for clients, so we’re pleased to be looking at the next generation and continuing to support public sector bodies to procure the services they need to compliantly deliver their mid-sized schemes. “Over the past three and a half years, some fantastic schemes have been brought to fruition through the framework, including the expansion of Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Coventry, a £5m new teaching block for Horsforth School in Leeds, and Bassetlaw District Council’s first carbon reduction scheme, which saw a significant refurbishment project at Kilton Forest Gold Course’s clubhouse. “The new iteration of the framework is aligned with all of the gold standard principles of procurement laid out by the Construction Playbook, ensuring that all clients and suppliers will be working at the forefront of industry best practice when it comes to their built environment projects. We’re now looking forward to receiving tender submissions from suppliers and working with our wider ecosystem to make this new generation of Medium Works the best it can be, ready to go live in January next year.” The Education Alliance will be the contacting authority for the new agreement, continuing its role from the current iteration of the framework. For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has urged the UK government to follow the example of Germany, which has announced plans to spend €177.5bn on climate action, including €56bn on a huge programme of building renovations. Germany’s Climate and Transformation Fund aims to reduce the 30% of the country’s total energy consumption that is used to generate space and water heating and is particularly focused on improving buildings in the bottom 25% of energy performance. This also represents a dramatic shift in government priorities from supporting the construction of new homes to renovating more existing ones with one government official saying: “One euro spent on renovation is ten times more efficient than if it was spent on a new home.” Other European countries are expected to announce similar plans with the EU intensifying the focus on retrofit in its planned revisions to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. “This looks like a comprehensive plan for retrofitting buildings with both net zero and reduced energy costs for consumers in mind,” said BESA’s head of technical Graeme Fox. “We have long been calling for something similar in the UK and I would urge our officials to look at this closely. Productivity “The built environment is responsible for more than 40% of total carbon emissions so upgrading our building stock could have a major impact on our net zero targets while improving health, well-being, and productivity at the same time by creating better indoor conditions,” he added. “It is also the quickest and most cost-effective way to drive down gas and electricity consumption in homes, schools, offices and industrial buildings when we are facing an unprecedented energy crisis.” Germany is grappling with the impact the Russian invasion of Ukraine has had on its gas supplies and has pledged to invest €35.5bn in its renewable levy to lower electricity prices with another €20bn going towards decarbonising industry and developing the hydrogen industry. German consumers no longer pay the renewables levy that helps to finance the expansion of wind and solar power. Instead, the government has stepped in as part of efforts to cut electricity bills, but without reducing its investment in renewable infrastructure. The Green Building Council calculates that around 70% of UK non-residential buildings were built before 2000 and says most will need to be substantially retrofitted to improve energy efficiency and reduce embodied carbon before 2050. www.theBESA.com
Chubb, the UK’s leading provider of fire-safety and security solutions, is proud to launch an accelerated development programme designed to attract and train new industry-entrants in partnership with Zitko Talent, the world’s leading recruitment agency for the Fire and Security industry. The accelerated development programme will last approximately 18 weeks, starting with alternating blocks of technical training, field experience and manufacturer-led certified product training. Trainees will emerge as certified Fire and Security engineers, equipped with the knowledge required to work within Chubb’s installation and maintenance teams. The next generation of fire and security engineers The programme leverages Zitko’s expertise to attract and select candidates. As part of the process, specialist psychometric testing is to identify outstanding technical and learning potential. Chubb then selects and employs trainees from the pool, with manufacturers and educators contributing around 18-weeks of technical education and certified product training; all tailored to Chubb’s needs. The Zitko Talent team administers the entire programme on behalf of Chubb, while supporting/mentoring trainees. Andrew Collinson, Operations Director for Electronic Security, Chubb UK, said: “We have developed our own entry level engineers in-house before and some of our most successful people began with us this way. The accelerated development programme takes this to the next level. I believe it will be a significant source of talent; giving us people who will progress with us long-term. The programme’s been designed as a gateway for those who may or may not have previous engineering experience. The key requirements are ‘aptitude and attitude’; qualities which recruitment partner Zitko Talent will assess with their proven selection process. By focusing on these qualities, Chubb aims to unearth hidden talent, especially among groups who are traditionally underrepresented in the industry”. Zitko Group’s Managing Director, George Zitko, commented: “Chubb has an apprentice scheme already, but they’ve recognised the value of the Talent approach. That is, developing people with transferable skills and giving them a pathway into the industry”. The first intake is being recruited now, ready for an autumn start. To find out more about the Accelerated Development Programme visit https://www.zitkogroup.com/clients/chubb
Design, fit out and refurbishment specialist, Calztec, is proud to announce it has secured two new projects with Powell Williams and Gerald Eve. Project One Gerald Eve awarded Calztec the dilapidations repair, reinstatement and improvement works across 105,819 sq. ft. of Unit One in Winsford. This project consists of demolition of a four-storey mezzanine floor and racking system. Also included in the package is cut edge corrosion and recoating of the roof, replacement of roof lights, full internal and external cleaning of the building, upgraded HVAC and electrical, and decoration throughout. We will also be installing new solar panels to the roof area and car charging points, which is an exciting addition as it falls in line with one of our core values – Environmental Consideration. Project Two Calztec is also pleased to be appointed to this strip out and refurbishment project at Unit A1c, Gallagher Retail Park, Bristol by new client Powell Williams. The works include new utility connections, trench excavations, strip out of existing fit out and new drainage.
With the threat of climate change being high, many people want to help in their own way. As a building owner, you are in an excellent position to make significant changes to your building. The general opinion is that integrating these innovations into the building can get expensive. However, modern technology can allow the addition of renewable tech easily. Here are some tips on how to do it. Solar energy The easiest way to integrate when it comes to renewables is solar energy. First, there is the use of passive solar energy. It refers to the indirect usage of the sun as an energy source. For example, you can consider adding more natural lighting to your building as a passive use of solar energy. Instead of paying for interior lights, you can install bigger windows and mirrors for better daylight lighting that can save you a lot of money. Another passive use is solar heating through better insulation and intelligent positioning of windows. This approach can be a big help during the summer months. For a more active use of solar energy, there is the installation of solar panels for the building. It should be easy to find a solar company in Manchester that can do the installation for those based in the area. It is a great way to use the rooftop space if you don’t have a penthouse. In addition, the electricity your panels can generate will cut down on the external energy consumption of your building. Wind energy Another easily accessible renewable method for a building is wind energy. Natural ventilation through the use of wind catchers can be a good alternative to mechanical ventilation and even air conditioners. If you position them in the right places, your building will always feel like it has fresh air moving through it. A building still in the design stage could also use clever design for better air movement. For example, large spaces connected to hallways naturally draw in the air so that you can encourage natural movement. For example, you can place an atrium in the direction of prevailing winds. This position allows the surrounding spaces to have cold air because of the windows while warmer air collects in the atrium. The temperature difference then encourages the hot air to spread out into the nearby space while the colder air rushes in. Geothermal energy While many think geothermal energy requires a nearby volcano or hot spring, the earth’s natural properties can provide some renewable energy. It is because the temperature below ground is much different from above it. Using a heat pump, you can pump in cold air to push warmer underground air to heat a building. You can also do the opposite with hot air passing underground and dispersing its higher temperature so you can cool a building. It takes some planning, but this approach can help reduce HVAC costs a lot. Final thoughts Adding renewable energy to your building is not as complex as it initially appears. The pointers above should give you an idea of integrating renewables into your building’s systems. You can assure yourself that you are doing your small part in fighting climate change.
