June 9, 2023
Firethorn Trust secures final occupier at Leighton Buzzard Logistics Scheme

Firethorn Trust secures final occupier at Leighton Buzzard Logistics Scheme

Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, has secured the final letting at Ascent Logistics Park, a net-zero logistics development in Leighton Buzzard. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager on behalf of the scheme’s owner,  privately-held investment firm, Cain International. All eight units are now let at Ascent Logistics

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Inspired Villages acquires Edenbridge golf course

Inspired Villages acquires Edenbridge golf course

Later living provider Inspired Villages has acquired a 27-acre site in Edenbridge, Kent. The deal is part of a joint venture with NatWest Pension Group Fund and Legal & General. The site has planning permission for 184,000 square feet of accommodation including a 100-unit Integrated Retirement Community. Inspired will now

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REHAU Ushers in Shroud Revolution with Clip-Flex

REHAU Ushers in Shroud Revolution with Clip-Flex

Polymer pipework manufacturer REHAU has unveiled Clip-Flex, a next-generation district heating shroud designed to offer unrivalled flexibility to installers and contractors. The shroud was officially unveiled at REHAU’s recent district heating workshop in central London, where delegates were able to gain a hands-on look at the new technology. Steve Richmond,

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Construction underway on Manchester mobility hub

Construction underway on Manchester mobility hub

Work has begun on the UK’s first mobility hub in Ancoats, Manchester, part of Manchester City Council’s regeneration and net zero plans. The mobility hub is a new concept which aims to prioritise green investment, public space, sustainable and active travel, and individual building design over space for car parking

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

June 9, 2023

Significant student accommodation scheme tops out marking progress on 36-acre site

Significant student accommodation scheme tops out marking progress on 36-acre site

THE LATEST phase of The Island Quarter in Nottingham moved a step closer to completion on Wednesday 7 June, as the final structural beam of its student accommodation scheme was put in place.  The moment was marked with a topping out ceremony for the ongoing phase, which will be home to nearly 700 students from next autumn. The block is currently under construction by Bowmer + Kirkland, and once completed will be managed by Fresh, a leading student accommodation provider. In addition for students and anyone else in medical learning is a way to learn to write, visit essay help online and this service will help you out. The student accommodation forms the second phase of the 36-acre development, with the initial phase – restaurant and entertainment venue 1 The Island Quarter – opening its doors in September 2022.  The Conygar Investment Company – the developer behind the scheme – has also recently received planning permission for nearly 250,000 sq ft of bioscience and laboratory space which will be situated next to the student accommodation.  Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “Alongside the recently updated masterplan and the planning consent for our bioscience facility, this topping out is another key landmark in what has already been a pivotal year for The Island Quarter.  “From the very outset, we wanted The Island Quarter to be an exemplar of intergenerational living, and this high-quality student accommodation will not only help us reach those ambitions, but also strengthen the offer that Nottingham has for students, ensuring we get the highest calibre of students in our city and attending our universities.”  Designed by DAY Architectural, the student accommodation will offer a range of room types including studio flats and cluster living, and also features a high-level sky lounge, private courtyard, socialising and studying space.    Christian Parnell, Bowmer + Kirkland regional director, said: “We are delighted to be a part of this significant milestone for the project. The topping out ceremony marks the one year anniversary that B + K started work on this site. Everyone – Conygar, consultants, and ourselves – have worked well together, and collaboratively, to get where we are today. We are now focused on delivering the project for next year’s student intake.”   Craig Bryant, strategy and business development director at Fresh, said: “The topping out today is a hugely significant milestone as we move a step closer to welcoming our first cohort of students to their new home in 2024. Fresh has been involved throughout the development, providing advisory services to ensure our unique insight has been designed into the scheme from the beginning to deliver what students want and to exceed our client’s expectations. The Island Quarter is set to be a very exciting development in this great university city, and we can’t wait to add 693 beds to our existing presence in Nottingham.”    For more information on The Island Quarter, visit theislandquarter.com.   

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How energy efficiency is creating environmental and economic value in cities

How energy efficiency is creating environmental and economic value in cities

Signify’s Nico van der Merwe explains how energy efficiency measures such as the retrofitting of smart LEDs can provide green impacts across society in combination with the switch to renewable energy. The IPCC Climate Change 2023 report has offered the world a stark reminder of what is at stake if we fail to take urgent climate action – the trick is how. In consecutive COP meetings, we have yet to see the necessary leap forward in progress that will keep global warming within the science-based 1.5ºC target. At COP27, the time had come for global powers to produce a workplan based on the Paris Agreement that would account for climate mitigation, emissions reduction, adaptation, and financing. Instead, the conference concluded with talk of phasing down rather than phasing out coal, and little mention of oil and gas. The transition to green energy and green economy can take root in our cities. The time has come to focus on solutions and action rather than problems and potential. In Egypt, Signify had a clear message to bring one of those solutions into sharp focus: energy efficiency now. Energy efficiency has clear and tangible benefits and there is one area in which cities can take quick action to reduce both emissions and costs – lighting. Whether it be lighting up the homes, city streets, offices, factories or other commercial and municipal buildings, lighting has huge potential to lower a city’s carbon footprint and to do so quickly. The path to energy efficiency Approximately 35 per cent of the world’s lighting points are still conventional. In Europe and the US, which lag behind much of Asia in the switch to greener lighting, this figure is even higher at 50 per cent. What it also demonstrates, though, is the huge potential for transition in the coming years. If we apply the 10/20/70 model, where 10 per cent of our efforts are inspiration, 20 per cent aspiration, and 70 per cent perspiration, the time has come to give full focus to perspiration and getting the job done. At COP27, a financing agreement for climate loss and damage was agreed but without an increase in the speed and urgency of climate action, the loss and damage suffered will be beyond what anybody can afford. With the adoption of technology such as smart LED lighting, cities are not only taking immediate action to improve the quality of their environment, they are becoming more economical for the future in terms of the social, financial and ecological benefits they’re providing. For example, World Council on City Data shows LED implementation can reduce night-time traffic incidents by about 30 per cent, and reduce street crime by 20 per cent. Business models for technology suppliers into cities also need to shift, from invoicing for hardware to leasing hardware and services and taking away much, if not all, of the upfront costs that can prove prohibitive to green lighting projects. Lighting-as-a-service, for example, brings forward lifetime benefits that are divided over a certain number of years through a service agreement, reducing the need for big upfront capital investment and budget requirements. These service agreements illustrate that it’s as important that the business model is sustainable for the long term as the product is. With the EU’s Green Deal, the UK’s ten-point plan and other equivalent funds around the world emerging, there is a lot of focus currently on what I’d call “the supply side” – the supply side of the energy mix, where there are calls for alternative gas, the scaling of renewables, and even nuclear and hydrogen (though it will take longer to come to fruition). This is important for heavy industry, where we need energy-intensive sectors to keep investing in the markets they’re in, rather than move out to geographies where fossil fuels are cheaper. I believe there must be more focus on the demand side itself where the potential for quicker acceleration on efficiency exists. Importantly, the demand side industries provide both active and passive energy efficiency technologies and solutions. Those like Signify in lighting or building management sensor companies are facilitating the green transition with active digital technologies that will help us finally make the shift away from fossil fuel. They are also the drivers of economic growth and the green economy. But as well as the digital solutions, it is important to recognise the part played by the demand-side industries in the more passive parts of the efficiency process such as insulation and triple-glazing. These will similarly drive growth and provide many jobs for the future, particularly around retrofitting. Why start with lighting In Europe, 50 per cent of the current install base is still conventional lighting technology across places like offices, schools and warehouses. That provides a huge opportunity to improve energy efficiency through lighting networks – an improvement that can be made both quickly unobtrusively because it doesn’t require the breaking open of existing infrastructure to any great degree. Smart LED lighting has the highest relative cost saving of any replacement technology. In Europe, this amounts to a saving of 65 billion euros depending on energy rates, and also brings the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 51 million tonnes. Meanwhile, switching all the light points in the UK alone, could reduce CO2 emissions by 3.9 million tonnes, the amount of emissions that 175 million trees could sequester in a year. Making the switch would also generate electricity savings of 16.1 TWh, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 4.3 million households. In both cases, those savings bring the potential to bolster capacity in energy networks for other purposes. Cities are facing pressure to electrify public services and amenities, such as transport and heating, as part of their climate action push. The average electricity consumption for a European household is approximately 3,400kW/h – roughly the same amount of electricity it would take to charge an electric vehicle to travel 10,000 miles in the course of a year. By transitioning to LED lighting

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Subdued planning environment figures provide scant hope for house-building targets

Subdued planning environment figures provide scant hope for house-building targets

Residential planning and approvals provided little hope for a short-term recovery of the market in Barbour ABI’s latest market figures, whilst contract award values continue to highlight market volatility. Planning applications and approvals across the construction industry remained subdued in May after a turn for the worst in April which saw contract awards fall by a third and planning approvals at their lowest since June 2022. Approvals are at just £6.1bn, and applications have fallen to £7.4bn, with similar trends across both, according to the latest figures from Barbour ABI. The residential sector looks weak, with a 30% bump in April applications falling back to just £3.2bn in May and with limited recovery in approvals. This suggests there is little hope for those looking for a rally in tumbling house-building numbers in the short term.  Infrastructure also appears to have fallen over the last few months, with overall planning activity decreasing by 15-25% compared to last year. Infrastructure applications fell by 50% in May to £1.3bn compared to April, the weakest monthly value since Sept 2021. Contract Awards Meanwhile, contract awards provide a more complex picture, recovering by 20% compared to April with £5.6bn, in line with the long-run average – but well down from the £6.6bn per month seen over Q1 and 2022. Surprisingly Residential contract awards saw a sharp increase after a 30% fall in April. Barbour ABI Chief Economist Tom Hall explained, “Across construction sectors, May was a strange month for contract awards as some sectors bucked recent negative trends. Residential and commercial sectors saw a welcome bounce while others suffered, highlighting the continuing see-sawing and uncertainty we have seen in recent months.  Meanwhile, the industrial sector suffered a disappointing 37% fall. May’s £500m was the lowest level since last June. The infrastructure sector also seems to be on a new lower path, with the second month in a row below £1bn: the last time this happened was in 2021.” Find out more at Barbour-abi.com.

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Firethorn Trust secures final occupier at Leighton Buzzard Logistics Scheme

Firethorn Trust secures final occupier at Leighton Buzzard Logistics Scheme

Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, has secured the final letting at Ascent Logistics Park, a net-zero logistics development in Leighton Buzzard. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager on behalf of the scheme’s owner,  privately-held investment firm, Cain International. All eight units are now let at Ascent Logistics Park, with the final 48,639 sq ft unit to be occupied by Next plc, the British multinational clothing, home and beauty products retailer. The 25.5-acre industrial development comprises highly-specified Grade A logistics space – ranging from 14,533 to 125,510 sq ft – and has attracted occupiers from a variety of sectors. Next plc joins existing tenants AS Colour, HCA UK, Tate Business Group, Spreetail, Airbox UK, Solution EU and Stone Hardy at the scheme, which reached completion last May. Accredited by the UK Green Building Council for its net-zero carbon construction, Ascent Logistics Park is rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and offers a modern, future-proof specification that will provide tangible and long-lasting benefits for both occupiers and the environment. Chris Beer, Senior Associate at Firethorn Trust, said: “We’ve worked in close collaboration with every occupier to ensure they can benefit from a high-quality and flexible warehousing space, which is designed to fully support their operational requirements, strengthen future business plans and empower their ESG commitments. Ascent is a bold, ambitious and forward-thinking development that will place every tenant in a prime position for growth.” Tim Brazier, Senior Vice President at Cain International, said: “We’re delighted to reach this significant milestone at Ascent Logistics Park, with the scheme fully let within 12 months of completion. Ascent’s popularity with such a diverse range of tenants reflects the scheme’s excellent specification, underpinning our belief that high quality spaces with a focus on sustainability will continue to thrive in a competitive market.” For more information, visit www.ascentlogisticspark.co.uk

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Weekend’s 30-degree warning prompts ‘keep cool’ message from Actis

Weekend’s 30-degree warning prompts ‘keep cool’ message from Actis

With the Met Office issuing a yellow warning as temperatures are predicted to reach 30 degrees in parts of England this weekend, insulation specialist Actis is alerting specifiers to the role insulation has to play in helping mitigate the effects of rising global temperatures. And with Part O of the building regulations obliging architects to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings, Actis stresses that while some insulation products can make homes unbearably hot in the summer, reflective alternatives also act as coolants – helping protect the health and comfort of the occupants. And its latest product – two-in-one Eolis HC – launched last month, joins its well-established Hybrid range in helping buildings stay cool. The technical experts behind the creation of the new product, a reflective insulation with an integrated vapour barrier created from Actis’ revolutionary Triplex technology, explain that the reflective films from which it is created reflect 90% of infrared radiation. Mark Cooper, UK and Ireland sales manager at Actis, said: “”As we know, some forms of insulation can make houses blisteringly hot in the summer. Not so with our products, which are designed to help keep houses cool in summer as well as warm in winter. Using reflective insulation alone is not the answer to addressing the impact of climate change, but it will mitigate some of the effects by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature. “No form of insulation can address the significant effects of solar gain through windows though. That needs to be addressed by judicious use of curtains or siting the windows in strategic positions – a job for the architect.” The Triplex technology on which Eolis HC is based is created from a number of layers of reflective films, each separated by a thin layer of fibre, trapping air between each section, boosting thermal performance.  A new colour-coded alert system was launched last week in response to more frequent heatwaves sparked by climate change. Run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHS)A and the Met Office, it is aimed at reducing illness and deaths among vulnerable people. As well as the current yellow alert, amber means the impact could affect the wider population and is likely to be felt across the whole health service, while red means a significant risk to life, even for healthy people, and a severe impact expected across all sectors.

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New Careers Hub Gives Retrofit Clients and Contractors Access to Fresh Talent

New Careers Hub Gives Retrofit Clients and Contractors Access to Fresh Talent

As over a billion pounds in funding has become available for large-scale, high-quality retrofit projects, housing associations, social housing providers, local authorities and contractors can now access the best in retrofitting talent following the launch of a new careers platform. As the organisation announced its milestone of 5,000 people being enrolled on its courses, The Retrofit Academy has launched its Careers Hub to help prospective employers of retrofit advisors, coordinators and assessors find emerging talent. This comes as the Government recently announced £1.8bn in funding for the large-scale retrofitting of homes in the form of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). As housing associations, social housing providers, local authorities and their appointed contractors now have the financial support to deliver large scale retrofit, the UK requires a sizable, qualified workforce. Companies searching for skilled retrofit talent can now become an organisational member of The Retrofit Academy, joining the multiple organisations already active on the platform. Here, they can set up a virtual stand from which they can host information about their company, interact with prospective talent and, crucially, advertise open retrofit employment opportunities direct to those considering a career in retrofit, in training or already qualified. Being the driving force behind large-scale, high-quality retrofitting and creating the workforce to deliver it is central to The Retrofit Academy’s strategy, as the organisation’s CEO, David Pierpoint, explains. David said: “Retrofitting 27 million homes in less than 30 years is going to require hundreds of thousands of new, skilled people. The Retrofit Careers Hub will provide those people with a front door to the industry, providing information, advice and guidance. We are now able to offer our partner companies a platform to access the best fresh talent entering the sector.” The hub provides useful tools for individuals looking to develop or start their career in retrofit, not only by connecting them with employers and job opportunities, but also by presenting them with networking, knowledge resources and training opportunities. A programme of regular virtual events and online forums meanwhile, will ensure this community of affiliated employers and retrofit professionals can benefit from the expertise offered through The Retrofit Academy’s extended network of specialist partners. David adds: “With more than 400,000 competent retrofitters needed to achieve our 2050 carbon-saving targets, The Retrofit Academy is driving the development of the workforce by delivering 200,000 of them. Having already enrolled 5,000 people to our courses, this new Hub is a key enabler for everyone involved in the whole house retrofitting challenge to develop and access a qualified workforce to achieve this goal.” For more information about the new Retrofit Careers Hub, link to enquire and to sign up, click here

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Inspired Villages acquires Edenbridge golf course

Inspired Villages acquires Edenbridge golf course

Later living provider Inspired Villages has acquired a 27-acre site in Edenbridge, Kent. The deal is part of a joint venture with NatWest Pension Group Fund and Legal & General. The site has planning permission for 184,000 square feet of accommodation including a 100-unit Integrated Retirement Community. Inspired will now seek to amend current permission to include additional facilities such as a restaurant and wellness suite. The site is a former golf course situated just outside Edenbridge, and is a 15-minute walk from the town centre. Commenting on the acquisition Neal Dale, Chief Development & Property Officer for Inspired Villages said: “We welcome the addition of Edenbridge to our portfolio of sites and are excited by its potential in a popular and thriving location for us. “We are keen to start progressing plans for the village here whilst raising awareness and gaining support from the local community. The provision of this type of age-appropriate accommodation is of wider benefit as it naturally frees up housing stock throughout every element of the property ladder. “The sense of holistic wellbeing and community we seek to create within our villages also proves beneficial to the surrounding areas where we are currently operating. Our Inspired Friendships programme is already well-established in Kent and seeks to reduce loneliness and isolation of those not just living with a village, but the wider community also. “Edenbridge is part of our wider business vision to open 34 sites as we embark on a mission to become the leading retirement community operator in the UK, with communities that are flourishing and residents living the best years of their lives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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REHAU Ushers in Shroud Revolution with Clip-Flex

REHAU Ushers in Shroud Revolution with Clip-Flex

Polymer pipework manufacturer REHAU has unveiled Clip-Flex, a next-generation district heating shroud designed to offer unrivalled flexibility to installers and contractors. The shroud was officially unveiled at REHAU’s recent district heating workshop in central London, where delegates were able to gain a hands-on look at the new technology. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing & Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, was also at hand to breakdown the benefits of the shroud in his talk on innovation in district heating shrouds & industry training. With up to 22.5° range of motion in all directions, the shroud allows pipework to be angled as per the demands of the project, allowing contractors far greater flexibility on site. Steve said: “Shrouds are a key part of any district heating network, influencing installation time and ease. Your pre-insulated pipe and joints are only as good as the shrouds that cover them, so it was important for us to create a solution that gave the highest level of both flexibility and reliability.” “We have spoken to countless designers and contractors in the development of Clip-Flex, and have taken their priorities into consideration. Through ongoing collaboration with industry professionals working in the field of district heating, we have been able to create a shroud that facilitates easier installation, optimises heat network performance, and also has the potential to deliver cost savings in materials.” The shroud’s larger diameter makes it compatible with all REHAU PE-Xa district heating pipes from 25mm to 160mm, meaning it now covers all RAUVITHERM and RAUTHERMEX sizes. Clip-Flex also features up to 20% more interior space, allowing a much wider range of tees to be used, including REHAU’s own FUSAPEX and modular tees. Using FUSAPEX can offer cost savings and improved lead times by using standard shrouds and fittings instead of custom pre-insulated tees, significantly reducing the total number of shrouds needed on a project. Steve concluded: “We view the development of Clip-Flex as a true landmark moment for polymer district heating pipework. The innovative shroud has the potential to revolutionise the way polymer district heating pipes can be installed, so we look forward to bringing it to UK market.” For more information on Clip-Flex, CLICK HERE.

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Construction underway on Manchester mobility hub

Construction underway on Manchester mobility hub

Work has begun on the UK’s first mobility hub in Ancoats, Manchester, part of Manchester City Council’s regeneration and net zero plans. The mobility hub is a new concept which aims to prioritise green investment, public space, sustainable and active travel, and individual building design over space for car parking and vehicles. Vehicle movements around Ancoats will be further reduced by the Hub’s delivery centre, which will receive parcels and other deliveries, which will either be collected by residents or transferred to buildings via small electric vans and cargo bikes. The hub will include 150 secure bike parking spaces and changing facilities, 102 Electronic vehicle charging points and up to 30 spaces for car club/car share schemes. There will also be 406 parking spaces for visitors and residents. The building has been designed by Buttress Architects LTD and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Commenting on the project Leader of the Council Bev Craig, said: “The redevelopment of Ancoats over the last two decades is an exemplar in urban renewal. And rightly so – the neighbourhood is internationally renowned and has been named one of the best places to live globally. “This next phase of regeneration gives us an opportunity to think differently about how our residents occupy and interact with the space they live in. The Mobility Hub is a key part of this – helping to put the pedestrian, active travel and green public space as the focus of the neighbourhood, rather than the car. “Upcoming development will deliver 1,500 new homes and the transformation of the local park in this part of our city centre and the Hub ensures that Ancoats will be not just renowned for regeneration, but for its sustainability – creating a low carbon, green neighbourhood that should be a model for future city centre investment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Construct A Shielded, Safe And Secure Factory Environment With These Tips

Construct A Shielded, Safe And Secure Factory Environment With These Tips

Any individual or group looking to start up a business will need to look at the workplace they are working in. You simply cannot get things done if you aren’t working in an acceptable place. Whether you are in a small office or a large warehouse, there needs to be some standards. You need to ensure that everything is organized and that the entire staff is satisfied with where they are. From the fine details such as accurate measurements to the most basic aspects, you need to ensure that you are completely satisfied with where you are. In this post, we are going to be talking about creating the best possible factory environment from scratch. Constructing this kind of environment can be tedious at times, but can be very simple if you follow the right kinds of rules and ideas. If you’re looking to move or start up a factory, here are a few things you can do to construct a shielded and safe environment:  Be Strict With Your Safety Protocols  It may seem like a tedious and boring part of the job, but it needs to be done. You must begin by establishing the right kinds of comprehensive safety protocols. Conducting a risk assessment will mean you’ll be able to identify all of the potential hazards while developing the right control measures. The likes of machine guarding and personal protective equipment might need to be implemented in this case. It might also be a case of conducting regular safety training over the course of a few months. When constructing the factory, you need to ensure everything and everyone is in place.  Create A Fantastic, Ergonomic Layout The layout plays such an important role in creating an attractive and successful factory. It needs to be ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. An ergonomic area means arranging the machinery, workstations, and storage areas to increase productivity while minimizing the risk of accidents/injuries. Create clear pathways and light up the place properly. Ensure you have enough space for emergency exits and safety equipment.  Implement The Perfect Safety Tech Technology is available to everyone in this day and age – so you may as well use it to your advantage whenever you can. Installing these kinds of things within your factory can boost moods, productivity, safety, and convenience. A robust safety system that includes sensors, machine locks, and shutdown mechanisms would put your factory in a great position. The likes of advanced fire detection systems, including Hose testing, would help a lot regarding potential fire hazards. Furthermore, regular maintenance and inspections should be considered.  Create A Culture Of Safety And Sense  When you have a culture of safety and common sense, it makes the entire tenure so much simpler to deal with. Encouraging open communication and reporting safety concerns will allow the place to function smoothly. Regular meetings regarding safety will help to keep everyone updated when it comes to changes to the place or certain issues. A culture of safety will mean the entire place will be in better shape for the longest time. 

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