The best Site Managers across the UK are being recognised for their proven dedication and making a mark after winning a top house building award. The National House Building Council (NHBC) has announced its Pride in the Job 2023 Quality Award winners which celebrates the very best UK site managers
By Laura Smith – UK Head of Marketing CPG UK For the offsite sector, the focus is not just on building efficiently, but also manufacturing safe and complaint buildings. To achieve this, it is important that offsite manufacturers and their suppliers collaborate at the earliest opportunity. CPG Offsite Solutions, which
A consortium of businesses led by smart energy tech pioneers Chameleon Technology has secured Government funding to develop innovative heat pump optimisation technology designed to encourage consumer adoption of the cleaner and greener heating upgrade. Chameleon Technology, alongside partners Evergreen Energy, University of Salford – Energy House, EnAppSys and TalkTalk
Orega, the flexible workspace provider is expanding its high spec flexible workspace at The Capitol Building, 431 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11. Orega originally signed a Management Agreement with landlords M&G Real Estate for 10,000 sq feet but given its success in filling this space, it has now embarked on a
Speedy Hire, the UK’s leading construction equipment hire and service provider announces it will publish a carbon net-zero roadmap as part of its ‘Decade to Deliver’ strategy in July. As the first company in the hire sector to publicly sign up to science-based net-zero targets, Speedy has set a deadline to achieve net-zero across all scopes
Amy Allwood is Scott Brownrigg’s first architectural apprentice to complete the Level 7 Architect Degree Apprenticeship course at Oxford Brookes University and become a fully qualified architect. She is among the first cohort of students in the country to qualify through the architectural apprenticeship route, after joining Scott Brownrigg’s pilot
Custodian Property Income REIT (LSE: CREI), which seeks to deliver an enhanced income return by investing in a diversified portfolio of smaller regional, core/core-plus properties across the UK, today announces its final results for the year ended 31 March 2023. Commenting on the final results, David Hunter, Chairman of Custodian
Design changes have been submitted for Botanic Place, a new office scheme with planning permission being developed by Railpen and Socius, which will see the delivery of the most sustainable and intelligent workspace in the UK, outside of London. The amendments, which are currently under review by Cambridge City Council,
Bellway held ‘dusty boots’ events at five sites in Warwickshire and Leicestershire to give house-hunters the chance to get a close look at the new properties taking shape. The developer hosted the events at sites in Coventry, Hampton Magna, Cubbington and Lighthorne Heath in Warwickshire and Oadby in Leicestershire, allowing
Design aesthetics, multiple test standards and changing construction materials – all can pose challenges to architects when it comes to choosing the right fall protection system. Stuart Pierpoint, Specification Sales Manager, UK and Netherlands at MSA Safety, looks at the heritage of fall protection systems and what architects may benefit
The best Site Managers across the UK are being recognised for their proven dedication and making a mark after winning a top house building award. The National House Building Council (NHBC) has announced its Pride in the Job 2023 Quality Award winners which celebrates the very best UK site managers and their commitment to raising standards in house building. Running for 43 years, the accolade which is awarded by the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider, is the most highly regarded in the house-building industry and a prestigious benchmark for exceptional site managers. With only 444 winners selected out of over 8,000 entrants across the UK, the recipients are among the country’s best house builders. Commenting on the awards, Steve Wood, CEO at NHBC said: “Congratulations to all the winners who should feel proud to have received a Pride in the Job Award. Pride in the Job is firmly at the heart of NHBC’s mission to raise standards in the house-building industry. It is important we recognise the vital role site managers play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards. This accolade recognises the best site managers across the UK and celebrates how much all the winners have inspired their teams by going the extra mile to deliver homes of the highest quality.” Judging for the awards is rigorous, with the current competition beginning in July last year. Each site manager is assessed across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety. Thousands of site inspections and meticulous scoring and verifications have taken place to decide the winning site managers. The flagship competition has three categories for different sized businesses: small, medium and large house builders, plus a multi-storey category where site managers are working on projects up to seven storeys for multiple occupancy and finally the high-rise category for multiple occupancy projects over seven storeys. The Quality Award winners will now go on to compete for Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn, with the national Supreme Award winners unveiled in January 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Laura Smith – UK Head of Marketing CPG UK For the offsite sector, the focus is not just on building efficiently, but also manufacturing safe and complaint buildings. To achieve this, it is important that offsite manufacturers and their suppliers collaborate at the earliest opportunity. CPG Offsite Solutions, which encompasses seven brands – Nullifire, Illbruck, Tremco, Flowcrete, Dryvit, Nudura and Vandex, is an excellent example of how industry collaboration in practice allows for specialist solutions to be developed for the offsite sector. A fabric first approach relies on early engagement with offsite modular manufacturers to make buildings safer from the outset. Working closely with partners, CPG Offsite Solutions offer a range of passive fire protection products for both service penetrations, and inter-module junctions. Penetration Seals: Penetration seals are passive fire protection systems used to maintain the fire resistance of a wall or floor that has services passing through it. In the event of a fire, the penetrations caused by these services can undermine the integrity of a buildings fire safety precautions. Service penetration seals such as Nullifire’s FP220 Service Sleeve, or Nullifire FP170 Intucollar Intumescent Pipe Collar provide an effective solution to this problem. FP220 Service Sleeve is a pipe closer device which comprises of an intumescent material within a stainless-steel shell. Expanding when exposed to fire, this device reinstates the fire performance of compartment walls which have been penetrated by combustible pipes. Suitable for installation prior to a module being transported to site, FP220 provides up to two hours fire resistance (tested to EN 1366-3) and is ultra-slim in design ensuring quick and easy installation. FP170 Intucollar Intumescent Pipe Sleeve is another penetration seal which is suitable for offsite construction. Expanding when exposed to fire, this product has been tested with a wide range of combustible pipes, insulated non-combustible pipes and network cable bundles (up to 125mm). This product is easy to install within modules and provides up to 4 hours fire resistance (tested to EN 1366-3). Module Junctions: Offsite manufacturing inherently creates joints between modules or panels. Ensuring that adequate fire protection is installed within these areas is critical to the fire strategy of the building. CPG Offsite Solutions offer a range of tested and certified passive fire protection products for module junctions, including, Nullifire FJ203 Fire Resistant Rope, as well as Nullifire FJ400 Intuspan Intumescent Joint Filler. FJ203 Fire Resistant Rope has been designed to reinstate the fire compartment requirement in linear gaps such as those created by module or panel junctions and is tested to EN 1366-4 achieving up to four hours fire resistance. Nullifire FO142 or FO143 Silicate Adhesive may be required for installation. Nullifire’s fire resistant rope is easy to apply, easy to cut and can accommodate joint widths of up to 150 mm. Saving time and money within offsite construction. FJ400 Intuspan Intumescent Joint Filler, is also a popular choice for module junction protection. Typically offering 60% physical movement capabilities, this product has been tested in linear joints from 12 mm to 115 mm gap width and is suitable for use between horizontal and vertical elements. Offering up to two hours of fire protection between module junctions, this fully dry system is ideal for high vibration areas and can be installed by hand. How can CPG Offsite Solutions support the offsite market: CPG Offsite Solutions have access to a comprehensive range of tested solutions ideal for the offsite market. Supported by an expert technical team, working closely with their partners to ensure that the correct fire protection solutions are installed within all projects. Find out more about CPG Offsite Solutions today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A consortium of businesses led by smart energy tech pioneers Chameleon Technology has secured Government funding to develop innovative heat pump optimisation technology designed to encourage consumer adoption of the cleaner and greener heating upgrade. Chameleon Technology, alongside partners Evergreen Energy, University of Salford – Energy House, EnAppSys and TalkTalk Telecoms, has been awarded £763k funding by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to deliver the Total Home Optimisation Management (THOM) project. THOM will see a collaborative approach to testing heat pump optimisation as part of the government’s Heat Pump Ready Programme, which aims to increase public awareness of the cost saving and environmental benefits of heat pumps. Heat pump installation is currently a long and involved process. Through the development of tools that are simpler to engage with and use, the THOM project aims to mitigate and ease some of the burden. Investment in the technology will lead to increased uptake of heat pumps by consumers being better equipped with a greater awareness of their own energy and heating needs. The project involves Chameleon Technology working closely with its partners to utilise smart energy insights from existing data within the home to improve access to heat pump technology and embed the heat pump as part of a wider smart home set-up serving a more flexible grid. The project will create a heat pump specialist Home Energy Management System (HEMS) supported by a full-package software solution, to help customers understand and maximise the benefits of their heat pumps whilst reducing energy bills and carbon emissions. Smart meter and occupancy data from within the home will be used to develop insights into the fabric efficiency before installation, with all outcomes gathered into AI solutions to streamline the heat pump installation, reduce any survey requirements, improve system performance and offer minimum impact to the energy consumer. This will increase the customer and installer confidence over the technology in each installation. Currently, heat pump installations are not happening at the rate required to meet the Government’s target rate of 600,000 installations per year by 2028. In 2021, less than two per cent of UK homes had low-carbon heating systems, with around only 50,000 heat pumps installed that year. For households looking to upgrade outdated, inefficient domestic boilers, the heat pump installation journey involves several engineer visits to assess the feasibility of a heat pump and correctly size the system. This evaluation process doesn’t always take into account the widely varying routines and lifestyles of different customers. Chameleon Technology and project partners are developing a fully integrated app to integrate smart meter data, router data (for room occupancy) and smart thermostat data, with internal data analytics to provide comprehensive and accurate individual home energy usage insights. The app, which will be designed to be engaging and intuitive for consumers, allows the user to gain insights into their personal household energy usage, adjust and manage their home energy set-up, and provide a simpler route for the sizing and installation of a heat pump. Following the introduction of an ivie Bud IHD, data can be gathered, allowing efficiency to be calculated with the resultant score tested against known requirements for a heat pump. Testing is to be conducted on customer groups and under a controlled environment using the University of Salford Energy House to evaluate and increase the overall performance of the solution. Mike Woodhall, CEO of Chameleon Technology commented: “More must be done to get the UK on track to achieve the Government’s Net Zero targets. This innovative collaboration is just one of the many ways in which the heat pump programme can really gather the momentum it needs to deliver decarbonised heating – a key pillar in the realisation of Net Zero. Supporting the pursuit of these eco targets, as well as making a meaningful shift towards flexible energy, is critical for reducing environmental impacts. The move towards Net Zero remains a key objective for Chameleon Technology. Our technology is designed to make measures such as heat pumps as accessible as possible, as our mission is to help the consumer to get to Net Zero by making it easy for everyone to participate.” Added Stephane Lee Favier, Chief Product Officer of Chameleon: “Our app will offer a quicker and smoother user experience to determine the right heat pump for the right home and inform the customer about the efficiency of the property. Using smart data insights in the app will enable a suitable heat pump to be sized, and cut energy costs after install due to greater efficiencies with time-of-use tariffs and user habits. Optimisation offers the customer features that maintain their comfort, and automatically schedule energy consumption outside peak times to reduce the load on the national grid, taking a significant step towards flexible energy consumption.” Helen Boothman, Managing Director of Evergreen Energy said: “The THOM project will accelerate our Home Energy Management System (HEMS) capabilities, optimising the heat pump alongside solar PV, battery storage and a customer’s EV to save them more on their bills.” David Farmer of The University of Salford – Energy House Labs commented: “Installing air source heat pumps that are inefficient or difficult to control could damage consumer confidence and the delivery of a Net Zero housing stock. This project represents an important step in demonstrating the potential for data to improve the rollout of domestic low and zero carbon technologies.” Susie Buckridge of TalkTalk Telecomms said: “When it comes to Net Zero we face significant challenges, including how to adapt our houses to run on low carbon technologies. This project is all about using data to help consumers make the right choices, so that this massive transition is easier.” Phil Hewitt of EnAppSys (Part of the Montel Group) added: “Consumers will be at the heart of the energy transition. Through engagement and smart control of heat pumps the consumer can help the country consume energy in a more efficient manner. EnAppSys is excited to be working with our fellow team members on the
Orega, the flexible workspace provider is expanding its high spec flexible workspace at The Capitol Building, 431 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11. Orega originally signed a Management Agreement with landlords M&G Real Estate for 10,000 sq feet but given its success in filling this space, it has now embarked on a second phase, taking a further 5,000 sq ft which has now been launched. The flexible workspace has been newly refurbished to provide a total of 276 workstations on the first and fourth floors of the building for companies between 1 and 100+ employees. The Capitol Building is home to high end office space located in a city centre location with an attractive Art Deco grand entrance and reception area. There are breathtaking citywide views. It is near to the shops, hotels, and restaurants of Central Aberdeen and only a 10-minute walk from Aberdeen Railway station and 20 minutes from Aberdeen Airport. Funded by M&G Real Estate, the former theatre hall was comprehensively refurbished and extended in 2016 by Knight Real Estate and was subsequently recognised as City Regeneration Project of the Year in 2018 by the Scottish Property Awards, celebrating the positive impact on the city. It also won the British Council of Offices best commercial workspace in Scotland award in 2017. The listed façade and 1920s entrance halls were retained and incorporated into the new building, which has been awarded a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating for its exceptional green credentials. These include an automatic building management system for energy efficiency control and the provision of internal bike racks and changing facilities to encourage green commuting. Orega’s new workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base catering for Aberdeen’s oil, professional and financial businesses, offering: • Design-led space focusing on hospitality. • A wide choice of different working zones • A large meeting room suite • More space per person than the industry norm • On-site shower and changing facilities. • Unlimited barista-quality coffee • Secure bike parking • Carparking It is the third flexible workspace for Orega in Scotland, where the company also offers space in George Street and Vincent Street in Glasgow. The company now offers flex space from 23 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Lynsey O’Keefe Chief Operating Officer at Orega, commented: “Orega already had a strong presence in Aberdeen; we opened Phase 1 of The Capitol Building 100% occupied and this has led to us taking additional space. We are attracting much interest from a wide range of businesses who are increasingly looking for a flexible way to occupy very high-quality space that is also value for money, in support of the return to the office to work. This is a trend which shows no sign of abating in Scotland, as in the rest of the UK. John Duxbury, Head of UK Portfolio Asset Management at M&G Real Estate, added: “Through our refurbishment of The Capitol Building we have created much-needed Grade A, sustainability-led office space in Aberdeen that has led to new leases with Orega and Ryden in recent months. Our work at The Capitol Building continues our strategy of developing assets of scale in prime locations where we are able to enhance the built environment by delivering buildings with best-in-class ESG credentials that attract leading occupiers, enabling us the potential to deliver compelling returns for our investors.” M&G Real Estate is part of M&G plc’s £76.6 billion private assets and alternatives division*. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Speedy Hire, the UK’s leading construction equipment hire and service provider announces it will publish a carbon net-zero roadmap as part of its ‘Decade to Deliver’ strategy in July. As the first company in the hire sector to publicly sign up to science-based net-zero targets, Speedy has set a deadline to achieve net-zero across all scopes by 2040, 10 years before the government deadline. As part of Speedy’s ‘Decade to Deliver’ strategy, it will publish a net-zero roadmap with clear steps to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 50% and Scope 3 emissions by 42% by 2030. As a trusted and critical supplier of equipment and services to the construction and infrastructure markets, Speedy plays a leading role in ECO product evolution, forming close collaborations with partners to innovate and deliver first to market solutions designed to decarbonise traditional diesel products and reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain. Amelia Woodley, ESG Director, Speedy Hire said: “The announcement of Government support for the CO2nstructZero net-zero roadmap from Minister of State Nusrat Ghani on Monday 6th June is a welcomed critical step towards decarbonising the industry. It is important that the industry collaborates and agrees on concrete and actionable steps to drive the sustainable and technological revolution within the sector. “At Speedy, we are accelerating product innovation and decarbonisation solutions in collaboration with our partners, prioritising the long-term vision of sustained net-zero. This is why we have set Science Based Targets to bring us substantially closer to meeting The UK Government’s 2050 net-zero ambitions, in-line with the CO2nstructZero net-zero roadmap”. To learn more about Speedy, it’s work with suppliers and its net-zero targets visit: www.speedyservices.com/esg Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Amy Allwood is Scott Brownrigg’s first architectural apprentice to complete the Level 7 Architect Degree Apprenticeship course at Oxford Brookes University and become a fully qualified architect. She is among the first cohort of students in the country to qualify through the architectural apprenticeship route, after joining Scott Brownrigg’s pilot apprenticeship programme in 2018. Recognised by both the RIBA and ARB, the apprenticeship programme aims to create an equal alternative route to qualification for those interested in a career in architecture, allowing them to achieve RIBA Part 2 and 3 while earning a salary in practice. The course is funded through the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy which requires all large employers operating in the UK to invest in apprenticeships and means that apprentices themselves pay no fees and can avoid student debt. As a founding member and sub-lead of the Architecture Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group of 20 practices – Scott Brownrigg has committed significant time and resource to developing this important new route into the profession. We hope this new route will support a diversity of future talent. Apprenticeships at Scott Brownrigg are open to people of any age, including existing employees, looking to pursue qualifications in architecture. Having worked in practice throughout her apprenticeship, Amy qualifies as an architect with a range of skills and experiences which reflect both employer and industry need. During five years at Scott Brownrigg as an apprentice, she has collaborated with different sectors and services including Interior Design, while working primarily as part of the Education and Advanced Technologies teams. Of the Architectural Apprenticeship, Amy said: “The apprenticeship programme provides students with structured, hands-on training whilst working towards qualifications. As an apprentice working in practice, I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learnt to real projects and have enjoyed working with, and learning from Scott Brownrigg designers along the way. The apprenticeship route had a positive impact on my confidence too, which grew exponentially as I started to recognise that this practical experience was enhancing my academic performance.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Custodian Property Income REIT (LSE: CREI), which seeks to deliver an enhanced income return by investing in a diversified portfolio of smaller regional, core/core-plus properties across the UK, today announces its final results for the year ended 31 March 2023. Commenting on the final results, David Hunter, Chairman of Custodian Property Income REIT, said: “Our strategy of investing in smaller, regional, core/core-plus property demonstrated its relative resilience and defensive qualities this year as the market corrected to the new interest rate environment, with the Company’s portfolio experiencing a 11.8% like-for-like decline in valuations compared to a 17% market decrease. “Since the year end we are beginning to see some optimism returning to real estate markets following six months of economic turbulence. Valuations appear to have largely stabilised and the Company saw a return to a positive quarterly NAV total return per share in Q4. “Recurring (EPRA) earnings per share of 5.6p for the year compares to 5.9p in 2022 and 5.6p in 2021. While capital valuations have fluctuated, the underlying occupational property market has remained strong, maintaining relatively stable income returns. “Capturing rental growth to support earnings is a key focus of the Investment Manager in the coming year. In an inflationary environment and with a lack of supply of modern, smaller regional properties we expect to see continued rental growth. It will be this growth in income that is likely to form the greater component of total return over the next phase of the property market and we believe that Custodian Property Income REIT’s strong income yielding portfolio, supported by higher-than-peer group EPRA earnings, will underpin shareholder returns.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Design changes have been submitted for Botanic Place, a new office scheme with planning permission being developed by Railpen and Socius, which will see the delivery of the most sustainable and intelligent workspace in the UK, outside of London. The amendments, which are currently under review by Cambridge City Council, will significantly reduce the carbon impact of construction, improve energy efficiency, promote active travel with greater accessibility and priority for cyclists over cars, and enhance the volume of accessible shared outdoor green space. The minor material amendments were submitted to the local planning authority by means of a Section 73 planning application on Friday 26 May. Botanic Place, located next to Cambridge University Botanic Garden on Hills Road, has an existing planning consent for a new £500m, 500,000 sq. ft workspace scheme, designed by award-winning architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM). The workspace prioritises energy efficiency to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer whilst using 70% less energy than traditional office buildings and will be powered using renewable energy sources. Doug Higgins, Development Director, Socius said: “Through our conversations with the council and community over the past few years, it is clear that sustainability, green space and limiting vehicle congestion are of high importance in Cambridge. We are pleased to have submitted this Section 73 Application which we hope will position Botanic Place as the most sustainable and intelligent workplace in the city. “We thank people who have taken the time to engage with us on these amendments and we look forward to the council determining our application in the next few months.” The amendments to the plans will reduce construction time and disruption, lower vehicle traffic, and provide more public green spaces. The proposed changes include reducing the depth of the basement and delivering both buildings in one phase to shorten construction time by 21 months, increasing the amount of publicly accessible green space to over 2000sqm and an enhanced cyclist experience with two dedicated entrances placed in the centre of the scheme. In line with the City Council’s Climate Change Strategy, the new plans will also significantly reduce the number of car parking spaces available and increase the number of cycle parking spaces to over 1,500, encouraging active travel modes within the city. Richard Van Lente, Senior Asset and Development Manager, Railpen said: “The plans for Botanic Place have incorporated feedback from the local community and will see over 200 local jobs created, the development of cafes, restaurants, a market hall promoting healthy and sustainable local food and drink, alongside the existing public house which will be renovated. It’s an exciting project, within a thriving knowledge-led economy and a supportive local authority who share our commitment to sustainable development.” Botanic Place will drive economic and social value for the community by providing new amenities and employment opportunities, both in construction and operation. In addition, Railpen and Socius aim to contribute to the recovery of wildlife in the area by providing green spaces designed to nurture the natural habitats of native species. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway held ‘dusty boots’ events at five sites in Warwickshire and Leicestershire to give house-hunters the chance to get a close look at the new properties taking shape. The developer hosted the events at sites in Coventry, Hampton Magna, Cubbington and Lighthorne Heath in Warwickshire and Oadby in Leicestershire, allowing potential purchasers to get a valuable insight into the construction process and the energy-efficiency measures which come with a new-build home. Visitors were able to put on hi-vis jackets, hard hats and sturdy boots to view homes at different stages of construction during tours led by staff from Bellway South Midlands. Angela Nurse, Head of Sales for Bellway South Midlands, said: “These dusty boots events are incredibly popular with house-hunters as they get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how houses are actually constructed. “Prospective purchasers can find out about the quality of properties on offer and customers who have reserved can see how their homes are taking shape. “The events at all five developments were very well attended and our sales and site teams were busy giving tours and explaining some of the processes and procedures that are involved when a house is built. “Visitors saw properties at different stages of construction and learned more about the energy-efficient features included in our homes, which will help keep heating costs as low as possible. They could also see for themselves the attention to detail and the quality of materials, finish and specification that come as standard with a Bellway new-build home. “And as well as being of benefit to customers, these events enable us to better connect with our buyers and help support them along the homebuying process.” At Jubilee Green, off Watery Lane in Coventry, where Bellway South Midlands is building 40 homes, visitors were shown a selection of three and four-bedroom homes under construction. Visitors were also able to view a mix of different house styles at Bellway’s 147-home Hampton Trove development in Hampton Magna, at Kings Grove in Lighthorne Heath, where the housebuilder is delivering 140 new properties, and at Hazelwood in Cubbington, near Leamington Spa, where 133 homes are being built. Prospective purchasers were also able to see houses under construction at Horwood Gardens, in Oadby, where 89 new properties are being built by Ashberry Homes, which is part of the Bellway Group. For more information about the new homes being built at the developments, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/south-midlands.
Design aesthetics, multiple test standards and changing construction materials – all can pose challenges to architects when it comes to choosing the right fall protection system. Stuart Pierpoint, Specification Sales Manager, UK and Netherlands at MSA Safety, looks at the heritage of fall protection systems and what architects may benefit from considering when selecting fall protection What are some of the challenges facing architects today when it comes to specifying fall protection? Buildings are constantly evolving in complexity and, as a result, a roof has a lot more happening on it today. Architects need to consider the multiple products present on a modern roof, when designing a roof’s capacity, such as: solar panels, CCTV, air conditioning units, lightning protection, green roofing systems, roof lights, general roof maintenance, and more. With this comes the planning of safe access for their installation, as well as planning future access to service these products, and maintain other high-risk areas, for the lifespan of a building. The challenge for architects is to incorporate a fall protection system that enables safe access, whilst also addressing their other priorities, such as the freedom to design aesthetically pleasing buildings. Architects need systems that complement their designs. Then, of course, there is the challenge of how to position a fall protection system. This is where MSA Safety’s free design service can really help. If architects provide architectural roof drawings, we can recommend system designs to help them maintain their architectural integrity, whilst not compromising user safety. When, and why, should fall protection be a key consideration in the design phase? Working at height is still the biggest cause of workplace deaths, with an average of more than two workers a month[1] in the UK losing their life from falls in 2021/2022. Fundamentally, fall protection systems are designed as one layer of protection to prevent loss of life and keep workers safe. This is a massive responsibility for architects when selecting fall protection systems. This decision can benefit from consideration at the start of the design process, alongside the access and maintenance strategy. Additionally, putting the user at the forefront of future maintenance will support long-term safeguarding of both workers and the building. What are some of the most important things to consider when choosing a fall protection system? As previously discussed, building complexities are continuing to evolve and fall protection systems need to keep pace. Architects often like to be ahead of the curve, so when it comes to worker safety, they want to know they’re choosing a solution that’s both innovative and proven. Some key considerations for fall protection systems for architects include ease of installation, compliance, worker safeguarding, building/roof protection and meeting standards. Whilst this may seem like a lot to consider, a well-designed fall protection system will do what the architect deems as important for the application, whilst still helping to protect the integrity of the roof. It is important to note that if a system isn’t practical or easy to use, workers may not use it properly and could put themselves and others at risk. Architects should also consider the walkways and other exterior paths that workers use to access a fall protection system, remembering that it’s not always dry and sunny and that workers may need access when it’s raining, windy or in sub-zero temperatures – all conditions that increase the risk of workers slipping. What are the current regulations and legislations that UK architects need to be aware of? The key UK regulations that architects need to understand and comply with, both at the design stage and throughout the specification stage, are the Work at Height Regulations. These were updated in 2007 and apply to all work at height where there’s a risk that a worker can fall and sustain an injury. They combine Construction Regulations, The Workplace (Health and Safety Welfare) Regulations and CDM (Construction Design Management) Regulations. What test standards apply to fall protection systems in the UK? Test standards are regularly updated, in line with changes in construction which are driving the development of fall protection systems. Currently, the European standards for anchor devices (these also apply in the UK) are EN 795:2012 for single users and CEN/TS 16415:2013 for multiple users. However, the latter does not cover permanent anchor devices and only requires testing on a rigid structure, not the actual roof structure itself. In light of this, the UK introduced BS 8610:2017, an additional standard that covers testing of anchor devices on the actual base structure. Particularly in the case of roofs that are made of a thin material, such as copper, zinc, or aluminium. In addition, since 2013, permanent anchor devices for roofs need to comply with EU Construction Product Regulation 305/2011. How have fall protection systems changed in recent years? Fall protection systems continue to evolve with developments in roofing technology. At MSA, innovation and the premium nature of our products over time have resulted in systems becoming simpler to use and easier to install – a key benefit for installers and contractors alike. With the use of materials like copper and zinc, some roof profiles have also become thinner and potentially more fragile. This is driving developments in load absorption technology. For example, at MSA Safety, we’ve utilised our Constant Force® technology so that our systems can typically be installed on these roof profiles and still control the load in the event of a fall. We’ve also increased our emphasis on comfort and enhancing the user experience , and help encourage proper use of fall protection systems or personal protective equipment (PPE). Can you tell us a bit about MSA Safety’s heritage in fall protection systems? MSA Safety has been protecting lives for more than a century and has experience in cable-based fall protection systems since 1974. This means we have a thorough understanding of safety challenges and the needs of working at height. In 2001, we introduced an innovative and ground-breaking fall protection system called the Constant Force® Post. This has
