The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have announced that, from July 1st 2023, they will no longer attend all alarm signals generated from an automatic fire alarm system. Instead, the Call Challenge approach will be invoked with an aim to reduce the number of false alarms their crews attend.
Increasing council tax is not the answer say Colliers- who call for further reform of the business rates system. Local and central governments are losing out on millions of pounds of council tax income because the Government’s business rates system is still giving many holiday home and second homeowners the
New research from Sodexo reveals UK employees still prefer remote working and are more cost-conscious than ever. Sodexo’s new Work Experience Tracker research, conducted in collaboration with YouGov, revealed that out of the 3,000 respondents in the UK 1 in 5 were dealing with poor mental and physical health, 20%
QIC Trims has added a stunning new metal mesh ceiling tile range to its industry-leading interior building products portfolio. QIC Matrix-Mesh ceiling tiles are available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and edge details to bring an ultra-contemporary, stylish new look to interior spaces large or small. The additional
Highbourne Group has appointed Robbie Bell, who spent almost 10 years in a similar role at Screwfix earlier in his career, as its new CFO. Robbie replaces Interim CFO Harvey Ainley and begins work immediately for the UK leader in the plumbing, heating and renewable energy market. Highbourne’s brand portfolio
Over the course of your home’s life, your roof and skylights will need to be replaced. If both are showing damage at the same time, it can often be easier, and more cost effective, to have both replaced at the same time. Does My Roof Need to Be Replaced? In
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have announced that, from July 1st 2023, they will no longer attend all alarm signals generated from an automatic fire alarm system. Instead, the Call Challenge approach will be invoked with an aim to reduce the number of false alarms their crews attend. In a bid to reduce false alarm call outs, fire services have successfully trialled and implemented similar approaches across England, and, following a rigorous public and private sector consultation, the SFRS have decided to implement a “Call Challenge” approach when responding to automatic fire alarm signals. Fire and rescue service teams across the UK are responsible for providing immediate assistance and support to those in need, but in recent years there has been an ever-increasing number of false alarms occurring adding to an already stretched fire service. In Scotland alone, the SFRS crews are called to an average of 28,000 false alarms each year and investigating each incident can involve several firefighters and up to two fire appliances as part of the response. To put this into context, this equates to 252,000 firefighters needlessly being called to unwanted fire alarm signals each year, when their time could be better spent tackling real fires, training or carrying out community safety work. The Call Challenge process is invoked whenever a single smoke detector becomes active and generates a fire signal, received either directly by the SFRS control room, or via an Alarm Receiving Company (ARC). Duty holders on site are immediately contacted and asked a series of questions to determine the nature and severity of an incident to determine a positive visual confirmation of fire. This ensures that it is a genuine emergency and requires an immediate response from a fire appliance and its crew. False alarms can be caused by a range of factors, but the vast majority are triggered by automatic fire alarm systems (AFAS). An AFAS provides an early warning of fire and is one of the most effective ways to keep a business, staff and public safe in the event of a fire. However, a significant number of signals from these systems are not actual fires – instead false alarms caused by factors such as cooking fumes or dust from building works, reported by sensors as smoke. The false alarms can also be triggered by a lack of maintenance or regular testing of the fire system. In a recent webinar released by the SFRS, with guest speaker Colin Todd, who holds an MBE for his services to the Fire Industry, three key points were raised. Firstly, building owners have a responsibility under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 to maintain the facilities and equipment provided and failure to do this could lead to prosecution. Second that staff and other building occupants should be made aware of how to respond safely to AFAS activations in each premises and finally that building insurance might be affected by the new approach by the SFRS, depending on which type of fire alarm system and devices are installed. In the webinar, it was recommended that Duty Holders should consider the use of true multi-sensors to reduce false fire alarms. These devices are recommended due to the way in which they operate – i.e., combining more than one trigger such as smoke, heat and CO, to quickly confirm the presence of a real fire. For this reason, the SFRS have pledged to always attend automatically to an alarm signal from an intelligent multi-sensor. The British Standard for fire system design, BS 5839 Part 1, defines a multi-sensor as a fire sensor that monitors more than one physical and/or chemical phenomenon associated with fire. Building upon this, through their combined research project the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and The Fire Industry Association (FIA) proved that advanced multi-sensors which detect multiple criteria can outperform more basic models particularly in reducing false alarms. In general, it was found that the more sophisticated the optical heat multi-sensors were, the less prone they were to common causes of false alarms, whilst their ability to detect real fires was not compromised. This research will most likely further the development of product standards and codes of practice for smoke and multi-sensor detectors. Commenting on this announcement from the SFRS, Nathan Hudson from Hochiki Europe said “Research shows false alarms are causing millions of pounds in disruption to the UK economy every year, causing complacency in staff and the public, and are wasting valuable resources for fire services. As per the recent SFRS webinar with guest speaker Colin Todd, MBE, the correct and compliant installation of true multi-sensors mean false alarms can be reduced. Our ACC true multi-sensor, which is approved to EN54 Part 29, uses a combined sensing element response, where the smoke element is enhanced directly by the heat element. This makes it an ideal replacement for those building owners now faced with having to update their systems to make them eligible for automatic attendance. And for complete flexibility, with its 24 approved modes of operation, our ACD multi-sensor can be completely tailored to the safety needs of the building and therefore help to dramatically reduce false alarms. Whichever solution, we would always recommend duty holders to work with a reputable fire safety company who can advise on the best course of action to reduce false alarms.” It is important to note, that the SFRS have said that the Call Challenge approach does not apply to those premises where there is a “sleeping risk” such as hospitals, care homes, hotels, or domestic dwellings. These premises are exempt and can therefore expect the current level of emergency response. To learn more about the Call Challenge announced by the SFRS and to find out about Hochiki’s range of true multi-sensors visit: https://web.hochikieurope.com/call_challenge Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Increasing council tax is not the answer say Colliers- who call for further reform of the business rates system. Local and central governments are losing out on millions of pounds of council tax income because the Government’s business rates system is still giving many holiday home and second homeowners the opportunity to avoid paying the tax, provided they make their properties available to rent and do so for just 10 weeks of the year. Colliers estimate the total loss to government due to the system of business rates relief for holiday lets in England and Wales alone is now around £170 million a year (2023/2024) – a significant sum that could certainly help bridge the gap in local government finances. Property owners who make their properties available to rent as holiday lets for 140 days of the year can claim they are a small business and as such can elect to pay business rates instead of council tax. However as small businesses they can claim for relief on 100% of the business rates payable if their properties have a rateable value of less than £12,000. Those properties with a rateable value between £12,000 and £15,000 are also entitled to a relief on a sliding scale in line with the Government’s business rates relief policy. Colliers has analysed the rating list for the Southwest of England (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset ) where 13,085 new properties, claiming 100% business rates relief have entered the list in the last six years- more than double the number claiming at the start of the 2017 Rating List. The South West now has 23,817 self-catering holiday let properties in the rating list that are eligible for 100% business rates relief and so don’t pay the tax. Colliers has estimated that if these properties at least paid council tax, the local councils would benefit by over £53 million of income. The issue is most acute in Cornwall where 12,065 holiday let properties do not pay either business rates or council tax, due virtue of being holiday lets and classified as non domestic. Colliers estimate that if these properties paid council tax, over £27 million of extra income would be raised every year in Cornwall alone.* The Government has taken some steps to close abuse of this loophole. Since April 2023 a property can only qualify to be in the business rates list if it is made available for rent for 140 days a year and let out for short periods totalling at least 70 days. However, as John Webber, Head of Business Rates at Colliers points out, “These measures are not strong enough to deter businesses “flipping” into the business rates list and thus reducing the local authority’s ability to collect funds. A second homeowner can still let out their property for only 10 weeks of the year and would be able to avoid paying any business rates or council tax. The fact that the number of properties entering the business rates lists is still growing, is a testament that the deterrent is not working. “ Meanwhile there has been a boom in house prices in recent years, particularly the South West, which has been highly impacted by second homeowners. House prices in Cornwall alone have risen over 63% in the last five years. ** Looking at England and Wales as a whole, the picture is even more startling. According to Colliers there are now over 85,044 holiday let properties in the business rates lists in England and Wales that are eligible for 100% business rates relief, and as such do not pay business rates or council tax. Colliers estimate this is reducing income to local authorities of around £170 million a year. Webber continued, “Despite posturing little has been done by the government in the last five years to properly reform the business rates system. This is especially extraordinary given the pressure on local authority finances, and the subsequent need for central government to fill any gaps. The local tax burden remains weighed onto residents or other types of businesses that are struggling to pay their council tax bills, which have again risen substantially in this last year. Meanwhile agents selling properties in popular domestic holiday areas positively advertise the rates savings advantages, which has probably contributed to the further rise in house prices.” Webber continued, “Cornwall Council by increasing council tax by the maximum allowable this year while at the same time cutting services, are simply missing the point if they believe ‘quadrupling’ council tax on second homes is the answer. Doing that will only force even more people to flip from council tax to business rates. I am not sure it takes a genius to work that one out.” “While Local Authorities may be compensated by Central Government in some respects for these losses, the point is less money will be collected locally which will mean less to spend on services- unless of course the magic money tree is being shaken by the cash fairies in Whitehall.” “While politicians bicker about the lack of social housing in places like Cornwall and portray people buying second homes as the villains, if they charged holiday let owners at least the same as a council taxpayer they would have received over £100 million to build affordable housing in Cornwall alone. The problem is not second homeowners, it is politicians failing to understand the issues and having the courage to do something about it.” “The fact that this trend of flipping from the council tax to the business rates list is growing every year is also a real cause of concern. Two years ago, we estimated the loss of income to government was £110 million, last year it was £150 million and this year it will be £170 million. Such loss of council tax every year will soon mount up over the years, with the government increasingly needing to bail out local authorities. The government really needs to reform the whole system and do it thoroughly.”
New research from Sodexo reveals UK employees still prefer remote working and are more cost-conscious than ever. Sodexo’s new Work Experience Tracker research, conducted in collaboration with YouGov, revealed that out of the 3,000 respondents in the UK 1 in 5 were dealing with poor mental and physical health, 20% are quiet quitters and 23% stated they wanted to quit. These issues are likely to impact business performance and business leaders need to reflect on the causes and take action to improve employee experience. A big question for many employers in 2023 still remains ‘how do we bring people back to the office?’ Sodexo’s research reveals the top reasons which would help draw workers back in, with synergy between people, space and sustainability core to building a future-proof workplace, driving business performance and employee experience. Two thirds of those surveyed said they were satisfied with their current working pattern. 58% continue to work a hybrid pattern, however 36% stated they would come into the office more to connect with other people. This is corroborated in the 71% of those questioned stating the greatest satisfaction in their workplace experience was from team spirit and collaboration. 36% said they would like the opportunity to socialise, a similar number (35%) noted that they would like to be offered free or subsidised commuting, and 23% said the same about food. Julie Ennis, CEO Corporate Services, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “Interestingly the tracker research shows us that 43% of workers are only somewhat satisfied with their workplace experience. This is a risk for employers as these workers could move to become quiet quitters, but why is this group being overlooked? The question we need to ask ourselves is what piece of the puzzle are we missing?” 58% of those surveyed are working a hybrid pattern. 20% of respondents appear to be quiet quitters, those who say they will stay in their job and do the bare minimum. Interestingly 43% of quiet quitters work a hybrid pattern and the greatest proportion (38%) are boomers. With the research revealing differing preferences for quiet spaces or lively, creative and collaborative environments it is essential that business leaders adopt a balanced approach factoring in wellbeing when looking at remote and in-person work and avoid adopting a one-size-fits-all approach when developing their workplace strategies. The YouGov findings were also validated by Sodexo’s own observations through sensor data at its London head office which shows the consistent motivation for workers going into the office is about seeing their work colleagues. Julie Ennis, explains: “Before the pandemic, we were already witnessing a shift in the nature of workplaces and the need to be future ready. To help businesses adapt, we developed Vital Spaces – a strategic approach to transforming workplaces and preparing for changing futures. “Using Vital Spaces we redefined our London head office during the pandemic. Early surveys hinted at a new trend for the office to become a social hub, a place for health and wellbeing and a crucible for culture. Using data sensors from the office we are seeing this trend come to life with people gravitating towards the collaborative areas rather than the traditional workspaces.” The final cornerstone for building a future-proof workplace is sustainability. Sodexo’s Work Experience Tracker examined the drivers around employment choices and found that 78% of those surveyed find sustainability personally important and half of respondents expecting their employer to act responsibly. Specifically, responsible energy use, waste management and reduction of plastic usages at workplace are the top three expectations from employees. At a recent summit held by Sodexo Corporate Services, CEO Julie Ennis and special guest renowned futurist Anne Lise Kjaer discussed the research and what factors business leaders need to consider to future-proof their workplaces at a recent virtual summit. Anne Lise Kjaer is CEO and founder of Kjaer Global which has been providing businesses and governmental institutions with insights to drive new models for innovation for three decades. Anne Lise shared her predictions to simplify the complex trends of future, business and innovation. She shared with the attendees her thoughts on tomorrow’s futureproof organisations being those that realise the future is now and which are adopting an approach which factors in people, planet, purpose alongside profit. Julie Ennis concludes: “This latest research and the insights discussed at our recent virtual summit with Anne Lise lay clear that a future-proofed workplace centres on a human-centric approach with the interplay of people, space, and sustainability at the core. The future of work is about adapting to these pillars and proactively evolving with them.” Sodexo has taken the results of its Work Experience Tracker and produced a report which can be downloaded here: https://sodexouki.info/WorkplaceExp2023 Sodexo’s forward-thinking and innovative Vital Spaces proposition aims to boost the employee experience and enhance productivity and comprises an ecosystem of workplace services.
QIC Trims has added a stunning new metal mesh ceiling tile range to its industry-leading interior building products portfolio. QIC Matrix-Mesh ceiling tiles are available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and edge details to bring an ultra-contemporary, stylish new look to interior spaces large or small. The additional advantage with QIC Matrix-Mesh ceiling tiles is their availability. Ready to purchase off-the-shelf, this specialist tile range not only adds a dynamic aesthetic to ceilings, it helps eradicate the potential for issues and delays in respect of the installation process. Neil Miller, Sales and Marketing Director at QIC Trims, said: “Mesh ceilings have extended architects’ pallet in terms of design. They help transform quite ordinary spaces into something quite extraordinary. As specialist manufacturers of interior building products, we are always looking to develop products that support industry innovation. Hence, the QIC Trims Matrix-Mesh ceiling tile range. Its off-the-shelf availability removes an element of uncertainty from the ordering and delivering process. It means our superb metal mesh tiles are ready to go when you are.” Manufactured from galvanised steel, powder-coated and painted, Matrix-Mesh metal ceiling tiles are easily installed and allow quick easy access to the ceiling void above. The range includes five standard mesh patterns: Aptus, Finity, Nova, Scape and Vexa, with each system having been designed to create spaces that harmoniously blend form and function. The Matrix-Mesh ceiling tile range adds to QIC Trims’ ever-expanding product portfolio, which also includes ceiling trims, plasterboard trims, glass partitions and bespoke metalwork. The company’s manufacture of solutions to suit a client’s bespoke requirements make QIC a go-to supplier of premium building products for specialist interior projects. To find out how the QIC Matrix-Mesh ceiling tile range can transform your aesthetic vision into a reality, click here or call our expert customer service team on: +44(0)1280 818950. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Highbourne Group has appointed Robbie Bell, who spent almost 10 years in a similar role at Screwfix earlier in his career, as its new CFO. Robbie replaces Interim CFO Harvey Ainley and begins work immediately for the UK leader in the plumbing, heating and renewable energy market. Highbourne’s brand portfolio includes some of the biggest names in the sector, including City Plumbing, The Bathroom Showroom, PTS, DHS, The Underfloor Heating Store, Plumbworld and PlumbNation. CEO Dave Evans said: “We are delighted to welcome Robbie Bell to our Senior Leadership Team. We believe he is the perfect appointment as we look to lead industry change and continue to grow our business. Those are things that require an experienced CFO capable of making a big impact, and Robbie brings this.” Robbie joins from Holland & Barrett, where he was also CFO, having held similar roles at Welcome Break and a number of large retailers. During his time at Screwfix, he saw trade counters grow from 50 to 600, overseeing sales growth of over £1bn. He said: “It’s an exciting time to be re-joining the sector and I’m looking forward to supporting Highbourne in their strategic ambitions. “I have already been impressed by Highbourne’s business plans and by CEO Dave Evans, HIG Capital and the Senior Leadership Team.”
Over the course of your home’s life, your roof and skylights will need to be replaced. If both are showing damage at the same time, it can often be easier, and more cost effective, to have both replaced at the same time. Does My Roof Need to Be Replaced? In New England, the average roof will last 20-25 years. As your roof starts to approach this age, it is important to periodically inspect your roof for signs that it needs to be replaced. One of the easiest signs to notice is leaks. If a leak develops in your roof, it will likely end up causing interior water damage to ceilings, which can often be expensive to repair. Another indicator of a roof in need of replacing is the state of the shingles. If you see any cracked shingles, missing shingles, or mossy growth on shingles, then it is very likely that your roof is in need of a replacement. Shingle inspection can be made easier by checking your gutters for any debris. If you find shingle pieces in your gutters, you’ll know you have broken shingles on your roof. You should also keep an eye on your roofline, which, in layman’s terms, is the very top of your roof. The roofline should be completely straight and level. If you notice any sagging in your roofline, your roof will need replacing as soon as possible. A sagging roofline is extremely dangerous, as it will eventually lead to a partial, or even full, collapse. If you see any of these signs, it is likely that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan and will need to be replaced imminently. Does My Skylight Need to Be Repaired or Replaced? Just like your roof, your skylights will not last forever. The lifespan of a skylight is 20-30 years, depending on the manufacturer, the style of skylight, and the climate you live in. There are certain indicators you will want to keep an eye out for to determine when it is time to repair or replace your skylight. Very similar to a roof that needs replacing, a damaged skylight can often cause water damage and stains. You will notice this in the immediate area around the skylight. If this happens, it means the watertight seal has failed, and your skylight is no longer capable of keeping water out. The condition of the glass is another indicator of a skylight’s condition. For example, if the glass is discolored, the maximum amount of sunlight is not getting through. You should also check for any condensation on the glass. The presence of condensation usually means that the watertight seal is broken. Finally, you will want to be cognizant of any and all cracks in the glass. Even a small crack is cause for concern, as it can grow into a large crack, and eventually cause the skylight to shatter. If you notice any of the above, it is time to have the skylight repaired or replaced. For small issues, like a tiny leak, a quick repair may be all that is necessary. While a large issue, such as the watertight seal failing, may require a full replacement. You should contact a trained professional, who will be able to tell you whether a repair is all that is needed, or if a full replacement is necessary. What Does a Skylight Replacement Entail? Replacing a skylight is a relatively easy and quick process, especially when compared to installing a brand new skylight. While installation of a new skylight may take multiple days, a replacement can usually be completed within four hours. A professional will come to your home, remove the exterior and interior pieces of your old skylight, and replace them with a brand new skylight. They will then paint the area around the skylight if needed, and clean up the work area. After that, all that is left is for you to enjoy your brand new skylight. Who to Contact for Roofing and Skylight Replacement When replacing your roof and skylights, it is important to hire a professional who specializes in both skylights and roofing services. Using a contractor without knowledge of both could lead to time consuming and costly mistakes. It is also much more convenient,as you will only have to hire one contractor, as opposed to having to hire both a roofing contractor and a skylight contractor. Replacing Only the Skylight Oftentimes, a skylight will need to be replaced before the roof does due to a difference in life expectancy. This is not a problem, it is very easy for a professional to replace skylights without replacing the entire roof. The roof should not be replaced unless necessary, as it is a very expensive process.
