The UK’s leading supplier of powered access for working at height, Nationwide Platforms, has recently announced a huge investment to add to its fleet of specialist vehicles for 2023. This significant investment follows a previous overhaul of 8% of the fleet in 2021 and looks set to ensure the supplier
Leading independent property advisory firm, Lismore Real Estate Advisors, today released its review of the Scottish investment market for the final quarter of 2022, along with predictions for 2023. Simon Cusiter, Director of Lismore comments: “The speed and extent of the pricing correction that has taken place in the latter
Leading surface preparation specialist, National Flooring Equipment , will exhibit its entire range of products on its stand S11327 at World of Concrete (WOC) from January 17 to 19, 2023, in Las Vegas. The show will bring together more than 60,000 professionals from all sectors of the construction industry to
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects is celebrating a successful year of delivery with client SEGRO. Development of the new state-of-the-art multi-modal logistics hub in Northampton commenced in early 2021. Winvic has since surpassed a
Golding Homes and McGregor White Architects have secured planning approval for eight energy-efficient, affordable family homes around Maidstone. The approval from Maidstone Borough Council means three disused garage sites will be redeveloped – at The Harbour in Sutton Valance, Thatch Barn Road in Headcorn and Sheridan Close in Ringlestone – to create two
Rye Group, a leading provider of demolition, remediation and ground and enabling works has achieved carbon neutral status, after switching from standard red diesel to HVO [Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil] Green D+ fuel. Rye Group adheres to its own Sustainable Standard philosophy, which encompasses Safety, People, Quality, Environment and Community to
Finning is offering people of all ages the opportunity to become fully trained engineers through its award-winning apprenticeship scheme. As well as the chance to learn all the skills needed while on the job, Finning apprentices benefit from earning 39 per cent more than the national minimum wage for training
In the search for the most cost-effective materials in the building, construction, and infrastructure sectors, the fire, smoke, and toxicity (FST) properties of materials are often considered too late. Here, Eric Moussiaux, VP technology at Exel Composites, explains why it’s important to understand the standards, select the right tests, and
At the start of a new year, businesses usually consider the big decisions about how they will run, maintain, and enhance their operations for the year ahead. But this year, many businesses will have bigger and far more crucial decisions than ever before to make. With the ongoing economic crisis
Building A Safer Future has announced the first group of organisations* to be awarded its Certificate of Commitment and Progress – Building Safety Stage One: Leadership and Culture, having completed Stage 1 in its new building safety accreditation scheme. The Building a Safer Future Charter, launched in July 2019, was
The UK’s leading supplier of powered access for working at height, Nationwide Platforms, has recently announced a huge investment to add to its fleet of specialist vehicles for 2023. This significant investment follows a previous overhaul of 8% of the fleet in 2021 and looks set to ensure the supplier sustains its place at the top of the powered access industry. This continued investment will ensure that Nationwide Platforms’ fleet serves the needs of its customers, delivering highly effective machines that are safe and reliable. Among the new machines are models supplied by the Finland-based Bronto Skylift, such as the Bronto T38 and the Bronto T56 with extended reach. Two more Bronto S35EM machines have also been ordered. Eight of these machines were ordered by Nationwide Platforms earlier in 2022, making them the first UK company to invest in the Bronto Skylift S35EM fitted on a Scania Chassis. Designed to provide a city-safe option for truck-mounted lifts, this cutting-edge machinery will make inner city work safer and more efficient. In addition, the purchase of over 20 3.5 tonne truck-mounted platforms between 21-26m will substantially contribute towards the ongoing diversification of Nationwide Platform’s fleet. After the investment the company will have over 220 3.5 tonne trucks. These new machines will allow Nationwide Platforms to cover the self-operated market, so that companies need not hire a licensed operator alongside the machine. “We’re looking to secure a more balanced split of both articulated and straight stick trucks with this investment. By diversifying our range in this way, we can cater to a much larger proportion of the powered access requirements in the industry, and make our clients that much happier in the process,” says Glenn Hall, Head of Sales at Nationwide Platforms. “During an economically turbulent time, many businesses are having to reconsider their investments and even pull out of the market. However, Nationwide Platforms is dedicated to meeting customer demand and providing long-term security no matter the circumstances. With this impressive investment, we will continue to supply multiple sectors with the best in cutting-edge machinery through-out 2023.” For more information on Nationwide Platforms please visit: https://www.nationwideplatforms.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading independent property advisory firm, Lismore Real Estate Advisors, today released its review of the Scottish investment market for the final quarter of 2022, along with predictions for 2023. Simon Cusiter, Director of Lismore comments: “The speed and extent of the pricing correction that has taken place in the latter half of 2022 has caught even the most seasoned experts by surprise. However, as with most market shocks, there comes opportunity, and we predict continued demand across various sectors, in particular, prime PBSA and BTR. “In addition, retail warehousing still offers good value, particularly in urban locations, anchored by food/value retailers and with a drive-thru offering. The sharpest outward movement in pricing has been witnessed in offices and distribution, with the latter expected to find its level quickly, particularly around the central belt where we will see further rental growth.” Lismore Investor Research: These views are borne out by the latest investor research undertaken by Lismore, with respondents ranking the top three performing sectors for 2023 to be: Living (42%), Distribution (32%) and Food stores (30%). Growth in the living sector continues to be driven by an undersupply of PBSA, BTR and senior living accommodation in the key cities. High street retail could be the dark horse for 2023, with retailers having success in driving shoppers back through promotional activity and free returns, whilst the business rates revaluation coming into effect in April 2023 offers significant reductions in their total occupational costs. Funds were the biggest backers of food stores in the top three sectors with an expectation of further sale and leaseback transactions by the big four chains and continued buoyancy in the sector. Lismore’s research indicates that a significant majority (65%) of respondents expect to be net buyers in 2023, with only 12% expecting to be sellers. Buying activity is likely to be from quarter two onwards, with the first few months of 2023 expected to see limited new stock on the market. The main buyers over the next 12 months are likely to be property companies (84%) and investment managers (74%). Only 13% of funds expect to be net buyers and with 50% of responses neutral, it appears to be a watching brief from the funds. By the end of 2023, 69% of investors anticipate an improvement in market sentiment. Investment managers are almost unanimous (90%), whilst over 50% of funds and property company respondents expect sentiment to improve. It was also noted that there is potential for a swifter bounce back should the macro-economic environment continue to stabilise during the first quarter of 2023. Simon Cusiter adds: “We have seen increasing appetite from Hong Kong and Singapore, as investors look to move capital into the UK, including Glasgow and Edinburgh. Helped by the stronger dollar, opportunistic capital, particularly from North America and the GCC (cash buyers) are best placed to take advantage of the current market dynamics over the coming months and many of the private equity and sovereign wealth houses are eyeing the Scottish market with interest. “With values adjusting anywhere between 10-30% across different sectors, it feels like the opportunity has arrived quicker than anticipated. Trying to second guess if the correction has fully played out is not easy but those best capitalised and bravest will be first to move and likely to find best value. “Even if pricing moves further, the opportunity to acquire better quality assets in a less competitive buying environment will prove attractive to investors and we anticipate a more liquid market in 2023. “PBSA will be most in demand as the strong demand / supply imbalance continues, with rental growth managing to off-set operational cost increases, hence the investment rationale remains positive and development appraisals for new stock are continuing to make sense. We anticipate more clarity around the current rental freeze legislation which should give investors more confidence to push ahead with a number of new schemes in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.” Tom Hoye, Real Estate Transaction Director of Redevco added: “Markets tend to over-react and in that sense any downturn represents a good buying window. The question is how long that window will be open for and when is the optimum time to get back in, especially in the context of there being a lot of equity available. At the moment a lot of investors are taking stock and we’re definitely in a period of ‘price discovery’, but I expect there to be more activity in the second half of the year.” Finally, despite the recent market volatility and subdued final quarter, total volumes for 2022 ended up at £1.77bn, an increase of 32% on the total for 2021. Investment volumes for quarter four traded at £396m, which is 24% down on quarter four of 2021 and 20% below the five-year average. Bearing in mind the range and severity of the headwinds faced during the year, the final outcome can be described as reasonable! The full Lismore Quarterly Review for Q2-2022 is available to download from: HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading surface preparation specialist, National Flooring Equipment , will exhibit its entire range of products on its stand S11327 at World of Concrete (WOC) from January 17 to 19, 2023, in Las Vegas. The show will bring together more than 60,000 professionals from all sectors of the construction industry to share knowledge and experience the latest surface and floor preparation equipment on the market. When preparing any floor or surface, every job is different and will require the right combination of tools to complete. NFE designs and manufactures all the machines a surface preparation contractor needs, and will bring its full range to the latest WOC exhibition in Las Vegas. Visitors to the show will have the chance to see all the US-designed and manufactured tools that National Flooring Equipment has to offer including scrapers, grinders, polishers, shot blasters and floor scarifiers. Highlights will include the best-selling 5000 Ride-on Scraper, a high-speed, compact, and durable machine that’s equipped with hydraulic steering to make even the tightest of manoeuvres simple. Also on display will be National Flooring Equipment’s new walk-behind scraper, the Rogue. This latest addition to the company’s catalogue is a game-changer. Fully electric with precision steering, the Rogue is capable of covering up to 150 ft per minute and has a fully adjustable blade angle at the touch of a button. “World of Concrete 2023 will be a great opportunity for us to connect with our customers and show them our full range of surface and floor preparation tools” explained Jake Sinna, president of National Flooring Equipment. “Not only that, we get to share our expertise and advice, and provide specialist training in the form of tutorials and videos, so our customers can get the most out of their machines. Learning how to properly use and maintain our equipment is just as important as owning it in the first place.” Attendees will have the chance to put their surface preparation questions to experts at National Flooring Equipment and learn key skills from training videos and tutorials, which will be available to watch on a screen at the stand. To explore all National Flooring Equipment has to offer, and discover how its product range can help you meet your surface preparation needs, visit www.nationalequipmentdirect.com. You can register for WOC 2023 at www.worldofconcrete.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects is celebrating a successful year of delivery with client SEGRO. Development of the new state-of-the-art multi-modal logistics hub in Northampton commenced in early 2021. Winvic has since surpassed a number of key milestones at the 450-acre site and remains on course for completion. SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton is expected to create around 7,500 new jobs. It comprises a five million square feet modern, warehousing and logistics hub and a dedicated 35-acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI). Winvic is also delivering significant highways works as part of the project. Improvements to M1 Junction 15, improving local access and traffic flow, have reached practical completion after 18 months, while ongoing works – being delivered in partnership with National Highways, Network Rail and local authorities – to the A508, A45 and to construct the Roade village bypass will continue until the beginning of 2024. Roade Bypass is a new 2.5km single carriageway that includes the construction of a new road bridge across the West Coast Main Line and three roundabouts. The 48 metre steel bridge beams totalling 264 tonnes were lifted into place by Winvic in September. Construction of the deck, waterproofing and surfacing will continue through the Winter. The Roade bypass and roundabout works are anticipated to be complete at the beginning of 2024. Construction of the 170-metre reinforced concrete tunnel, which will screen the trains after departing from the terminal, has also been completed along with the terminal buildings. The final reinforced concrete slab to create the intermodal and HGV terminal was poured in November – the last of the 86 slabs totalling 22,000 m3. The programme for the rail terminal is on schedule to be fully operational by Easter 2024. The SRFI will connect to the West Coast Mainline via the Northampton loop line and will encourage the increase of sustainable movement of freight by rail. On-site rail works will continue through the winter period and Network Rail will be working on-site to connect the Northampton loop to the mainline. Over 50 per cent of the development plateaus for seven large warehouse units, ranging in size from 530,000 square feet to 1.2 million square feet, have been completed this year. Winvic will recommence earthworks in Spring 2023 and complete the remaining plateaus by the end of 2023. When the Park is fully complete, it will include over 80 acres of parkland and amenity grassland, 18km of footpaths, 20km of hedgerows and the planting of 60,000 new trees. Furthermore, the primary sub-station works are complete and will be energised in the Winter, providing power to the scheme as a whole and contributing to the project’s sustainability credentials. SEGRO has been working alongside local council and community partners to deliver an employment and skills programme that provides training and employment opportunities for members of the local community. This forms part of a newly launched Community Investment Plan for the region. Last month, a community environmental project completed, which involved reinvigorating outdoor community space and enhancing biodiversity and wellbeing. Winvic shares SEGRO’s commitment to adding lasting value into the communities in which it works and works with its supply chain to help clients meet their aims. Rob Cook, Head of Civils and Infrastructure at Winvic Construction, said: “Our one-team approach to the complex programming for earthworks, rail, a covered tunnel structure and significant highways reconfiguration works has enabled us to meet – or surpass – all the key milestones. I’d like to thank our team for their hard work at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton through last year and I hope they have returned from the Christmas break rested and proud that we’re right on schedule. “This multi-modal logistics hub is crucial for meeting the demands of distribution in a sustainable, future-proofed way. And working with SEGRO, local councils and community partners we’re helping to deliver skills and employment opportunities to local people. We look forward to continuing our partnership with SEGRO at the Northampton site and East Midlands Gateway to successful completions and beyond.” Andrew Pilsworth, Managing Director, National Logistics at SEGRO, said: “Developments such as SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton represent critical pieces of national infrastructure in the heart of the UK, playing an invaluable role in storing and transporting goods and services all over the UK in an efficient and sustainable way. We are making excellent progress are pleased to be able to continue development at pace despite the current economic uncertainty.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Golding Homes and McGregor White Architects have secured planning approval for eight energy-efficient, affordable family homes around Maidstone. The approval from Maidstone Borough Council means three disused garage sites will be redeveloped – at The Harbour in Sutton Valance, Thatch Barn Road in Headcorn and Sheridan Close in Ringlestone – to create two and three-bedroom family homes surrounded by attractive landscaping and with enhanced biodiversity for the local community to enjoy. The homes will meet the Passivhaus Standard, a leading international design standard to increase energy efficiency. They’ve been designed to achieve ambitious energy performance standards while providing excellent thermal comfort and lower energy bills for residents. Steve White, Director of McGregor White Architects said: “We are pleased to support Golding Homes in maximising the potential of these small sites through high quality architectural design, which delivers homes that are fit for the future and creates neighbourhoods where people are proud to live.” Tom Casey, Director of Development and Strategic Asset Management at Golding Homes, added: “Our new homes must be fit for the future, which is why we’ve committed to increasing the environmental performance of our new developments. “To get planning permission for these eight Passivhaus homes marks progress towards delivering more affordable and sustainable homes and supporting Net Zero targets.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rye Group, a leading provider of demolition, remediation and ground and enabling works has achieved carbon neutral status, after switching from standard red diesel to HVO [Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil] Green D+ fuel. Rye Group adheres to its own Sustainable Standard philosophy, which encompasses Safety, People, Quality, Environment and Community to ensure all projects are delivered to the highest possible standards, while positively impacting its clients and society as a whole. As part of this Standard, the Group pledged in August 2021 to reduce carbon emissions from all site equipment by over 90% within the following two years. In working closely with national fuel and lubricant provider, New Era Fuels, Rye has successfully replaced the use of diesel fuel with HVO within all site plant and machinery, and across its entire fleet of company vehicles. As result, it has reduced its annual carbon emissions figure from 3,065 tonnes to 135 tonnes within just 12 months. This represents a reduction of over 92% in just one year, demonstrating what is possible with decisive action. To then obtain carbon neutral status, Rye Group offset the residual emissions via two VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) schemes that focus on forest protection in Brazil and Colombia, whilst addressing ten of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Discussing this impressive result, Simon Barlow, Managing Director of Rye Group, said: “When we launched our Sustainable Standard framework in 2020, we set out a clear vision to build on our existing recycling and reuse rates and to lead the demolition industry by example. The results of our latest carbon audit are just excellent and showcase what can be achieved with decisive and impactful changes, like the replacement of diesel with HVO fuel. We are delighted to have exceeded our initial emissions reduction timeframe by 12 months and to have already reached a carbon neutral status. We will now work hard to maintain this and hope to inspire other industry representatives to make this much needed and positive change.” Made of used cooking oil and supplemented with an organic additive, HVO reduces carbon emissions by 90% and NOx emissions by 30% when compared to diesel. New Era’s HVO Green D+ was chosen by Rye Group due to the sustainable nature of its production. The fuel is fully certified back to source to ISCC standards, in line with the Renewable Energy Directive. The first demolition contractor to roll out HVO across its fleet, Rye Group is at the forefront of the green agenda within the demolition and construction industry. In May 2022, it was awarded ‘Sustainability Champion’ at the prestigious NFDC Awards in recognition of its efforts in addressing climate change and taking a proactive approach to reducing carbon emissions. In November 2022 Rye Group also presented its experience of running carbon audits in demolition at the World Demolition Summit in Vienna, with the aim of encouraging other demolition organisations around the world to pursue a similar path. For more information, visit: https://www.ryegroup.co.uk
Finning is offering people of all ages the opportunity to become fully trained engineers through its award-winning apprenticeship scheme. As well as the chance to learn all the skills needed while on the job, Finning apprentices benefit from earning 39 per cent more than the national minimum wage for training schemes. And the latest retention rates showed that over 90% of apprentices were employed by the firm on successful completion of their apprenticeship – compared to the national average of under 60%. As Finning is the authorised dealer of Cat® equipment, parts and service in the UK and Ireland, many apprentices will get the chance to learn how to dismantle and reassemble the machinery the brand is known for. With apprentice roles available in the UK and Ireland, the company is looking to fill 24 positions in Winsford, Cannock, Llantrisant, Peterborough, Glasgow, Ashford, Chesterfield, Leeds, Lisburn, Nanpean and Dublin. The apprenticeship scheme is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, from school leavers up to people seeking a mid-life career change. Finning is an equal opportunities employer, proactive in supporting women in engineering positions, as well as being Disability Confident committed and is signed up to the Armed Forces covenant. Currently there are 62 apprentices at Finning working to complete the four-year apprenticeship programme. For 44-year-old Ahad Miah the apprentice scheme has given him the chance to restart his career. He explains: “As an older apprentice, I’d approached several companies in the hope somebody would give me the opportunity to learn new skills. Having looked on the website I could see how inclusive Finning were and that I could have a real chance if I was to apply. “I’ve felt supported from the very moment I submitted my application. Before the interview process, I was extremely nervous, having not had an interview in over 20 years. I was reassured every step of the way. The support continues now, even as an employed apprentice. If I ever have any problems, there is always somewhere to turn. “In the short time, I have been with Finning I feel like I’m already part of the team and starting to make a difference. I would 100 per cent recommend the Finning apprenticeship scheme. I felt like no one was willing to give me a chance, but I’ve been given a great opportunity, even at the ripe old age of 44.” As with all apprenticeship schemes, the salary rises year-on-year in line with skill development. On successful completion of the scheme, an apprentice with Finning will be offered a permanent position within the company, along with further opportunities to progress their career. Within Finning a number of former apprentices have gone on to hold senior roles, including Service Operations Director Iain Carpenter who began his career with Finning as an apprentice in Glasgow. Craig Smallman, Apprenticeships Quality Manager at Finning, is a former apprentice himself and believes the quality of the in-house training sets the scheme apart. He said: “There are so many great people that have come through the apprenticeship programme. It’s a great fit if you are interested in engineering and learning. The Finning scheme highlights the importance of education, as well as on the job experience, and supports apprentices with whatever they need to succeed within the company. “Employees are well looked after and will get out what they put in; if apprentices are ready to work and interested in learning they will reap the rewards. If you want to succeed, Finning is the place to work.” To take the first step on a rewarding engineering career with the world’s largest Caterpillar dealer apply now online. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the search for the most cost-effective materials in the building, construction, and infrastructure sectors, the fire, smoke, and toxicity (FST) properties of materials are often considered too late. Here, Eric Moussiaux, VP technology at Exel Composites, explains why it’s important to understand the standards, select the right tests, and choose composites that deliver the best FST performance. Whether it’s windows, doors or curtain-wall profiles, interior or exterior cladding, or even railway cable trays, the fire, smoke and toxicity properties of materials should be considered early in the journey of any new project. Fail to do this and by the time you come to consider the FST properties, you’ll already be on the backfoot, potentially having to overspend to acquire a material that meets all your needs. In extreme cases, not considering the FST properties of a material early on could result in businesses having to discard or offload materials they’ve already purchased or make costly adjustments to tooling investments. Fragmented standards Part of the problem stems from the historic discrepancy in fire standards across Europe, which weren’t unified until about two decades ago. Whether it was Germany’s Musterbauordnung (national model building code), France’s safety commissions, Spain’s onus on local authorities, or the UK’s devolved enforcement, there was little harmony in fire safety. Some of these rules were prescriptive — requiring structures to meet specific fire tests — others were based on performance testing, where the regulation only set out how a building or structure is expected to perform, not how it should be designed. Ultimately, it was clear that fragmentation was creating trade barriers, and hampering business. A harmonized standard In 2000, the European Union introduced the Euroclass system, or EN13501-1. This system classifies the reaction to fire of construction and building materials, based on three main factors: combustibility, smoke production and the production of flaming droplets or particles. Combustibility achieves a classification from A1-F with A1 being the least combustible; smoke production ranges from S1 to S3, with S1 producing the least smoke emissions; and flaming droplet production ranges from D0 to D2, with D0 demonstrating no dripping. So, for example a material classified as B-s2,d0 would be one with limited combustibility, that produces smoke at a quantity and speed that is of an average intensity, and produces no flaming droplets during combustion. Standard tests However, the use of defined tests can be a limiting factor. In a recent project, Exel Composites worked with a customer in Germany to develop a composite cable-tray for use on embankments at the side of German railroad tracks. Hot summers can cause the desiccated grass to catch fire from sparks generated by the brakes of a passing train. The resulting bush fire can expose the underside of the elevated cable trays to fire, so it’s essential that the tray can continue to protect the cables inside it. There is a danger that choosing a simple, well-known test in such specifications, can be less relevant to the real-world application and add unnecessary difficulty. One such test is the UL 94 vertical test in which a small sample — 25 mm wide by 100 mm in length — is lit at the bottom with a 20 mm flame. Picture it like holding a matchstick from the top and lighting it from the bottom; the flame will quickly reach and burn your fingers. In this scenario, the specified bushfire test is much more appropriate. Here, a normalized quantity of hay is lit under the tray. The tray must then withstand the fire until it stops, without causing structural damage or allowing the internal temperature to rise high enough to damage the cables inside. The difference is that one material composition might fail the UL 94 test dramatically, while surviving the bushfire test with flying colors. FST performance As well as selecting appropriate FST tests, specifying engineers must ensure that the composites they choose are not hazardous to health. Many composites contain flame retardant additives, which reduce or delay the combustion process using substances such as aluminum trihydrate (ATH), which give off far less toxic smoke when burned compared to traditional halogenated additives. However, the associated filler material leaves less room for reinforcing fibers, which can affect structural performance. The answer is to work with a composites partner that understands the complex manufacturing and pultrusion techniques to produce composites that deliver both structural and FST performance. The takeaway here for anyone working in the building, construction, or infrastructure sector is to consider FST requirements early, understand the standards, select the right tests, and choose composites that deliver consistent, high-quality results. To find out more about composites for building, construction, and infrastructure applications, visit www.exelcomposites.com Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
At the start of a new year, businesses usually consider the big decisions about how they will run, maintain, and enhance their operations for the year ahead. But this year, many businesses will have bigger and far more crucial decisions than ever before to make. With the ongoing economic crisis and high energy prices, many businesses have already been faced with the dilemma of whether or not they can continue to run and to what extent purse strings will need to be tightened. When investing for the long-term, money-saving tools might seem like just another outgoing that some businesses may struggle to afford, but several PropTech solutions could help UK businesses deliver on their net-zero targets, whilst also reducing energy costs. The growth of PropTech Understanding the way buildings run and how their energy is used is crucial in the effort to decarbonise the built environment. From installing solar panels to reducing simultaneous heating and cooling and fitting automated lighting, there are numerous ways that buildings can save energy – particularly in commercial offices that might not be used to full capacity every day. One of the most effective ways for businesses to harness the power of PropTech is by applying data technology to their buildings. In 2020, 38% of UK PropTech companies were working in the commercial property sector – a number that will have likely risen exponentially in the face of increasing economic challenges and investment in these solutions. In 2021, investment in the cleantech sector hit record highs, showing that concern about the climate crisis remains a priority. These notions also suggest that businesses and the government are welcoming the idea that sustainable technology is the present, not just the future, and is something to be harnessed rather than feared or dismissed. As many business leaders and politicians already know, green tech and PropTech isn’t just an important element in the fight against climate change; it’s also essential for boosting the UK economy. In November 2022, International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “Now is the time to future-proof our economy by investing in cutting-edge green technology, protecting our long-term energy security and creating thousands of jobs in industries of the future.” This was followed by a government investment, which was announced in the autumn statement. It stated that “[green technology] will be supported through measures to reduce unnecessary regulation and boost innovation and growth.” This included further plans to invest in and support green industries as a key growth sector. Reducing impact throughout a building’s lifecycle The built environment is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, and with the use of green technologies this sector could drastically improve and reduce its impact. A report by venture capital firm A/O PropTech found that the future of green construction technology has the potential to be so effective, it could decarbonise the built world altogether. When we talk about the reducing impact of a building, many of us think of the adaptations that can be made for a building to be more carbon efficient during its operation. However, truly effective decarbonisation in the built environment needs to focus more widely on the building’s entire lifecycle, from the transportation of materials, to the construction process, and then the operational lifetime. Another benefit of PropTech when it comes to reducing the impact of a building throughout its lifecycle is that it can help to close the performance gap between the design and operation of a building. A study known as PROBE (Post Occupancy Review of Buildings and their Engineering), which looked at 23 buildings considered to be ‘exemplar designs’, between 1995 and 2002, found that actual energy usage in buildings often proved to be twice as much as predicted, with more recent studies suggesting this number could be as much as 5-10 times higher than expected. In addition, recent reports suggest that there is also a knowledge gap with regard to data analytics which means building teams are less likely to address suboptimal operations through building insights. This implies that more education around the need for these solutions might be needed. Ultimately, the design of these buildings looked promising, but the reality was less so. With PropTech, buildings can take control of their energy usage and make efforts to keep it closely in line with their targets from the start. How we’re helping the built environment Last year, Demand Logic was proud to help even more partners reduce their energy usage by helping identify savings opportunities equivalent to over 90,000 tonnes of CO2e and improve indoor air quality. We’ve become a WiredScore accredited solution and have been shortlisted for the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2023. As well as continuing to improve and enhance our technology, we’ve been growing our team to help meet the increased demand and appetite for PropTech solutions, which is only growing as more businesses understand the need to lower emissions in the built environment. Want to know more about Demand Logic, how it works, and how it could benefit your building? Get in touch today. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building A Safer Future has announced the first group of organisations* to be awarded its Certificate of Commitment and Progress – Building Safety Stage One: Leadership and Culture, having completed Stage 1 in its new building safety accreditation scheme. The Building a Safer Future Charter, launched in July 2019, was developed by a group of early adopters comprising four local authorities, four housing associations and four Tier 1 contractors. Applications to become Registered Signatories of the Charter first opened in May 2020, followed by the pilot of the Champion assessment process in August 2021. Dame Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and Chair of the Industry Safety Steering Group commented: “This initiative to create the Building a Safer Future charter framework has received strong encouragement from the outset from the Industry Safety Steering Group, which I chair. “I want to applaud those who are receiving their Part 1 awards today. You are leaders and can take pride in the progress you have made on the journey. We now need many more to commit to following the example you have set of driving culture change for the right reasons rather than waiting for regulators to drive the change.” The BSF Champion assessment process gives companies detailed insight into their existing leadership and culture around building safety and equips them with actionable data and practical tools to help review and upgrade processes and regain public trust. The assessment process is divided into two modules – ‘Leadership and Culture (Stage 1)’ and ‘Corroborating Elements (Stage 2)’: Companies that go on to successfully complete the second module (Corroborating Elements) to the required minimum standard will be awarded with full Building a Safer Future Champion status. Steve Elliott, Non-Executive Chair of Building A Safer Future, commented: “Building a Safer Future has developed an invaluable tool that we are delighted to see being taken advantage of by more and more organisations. “This first tranche of companies to have successfully completed the Leadership and Culture module should be proud of the commitment and sectoral leadership they have shown in achieving this Stage 1 award. I encourage other organisations to follow the great example they are setting in engaging with the BSF Champion assessment and putting building safety first.” Amanda Long, Chief Executive of Building A Safer Future, added: “We are delighted to recognise the first organisations to complete the first stage in the BSF Champion assessment. The commitment these companies are showing towards improving their own approach to building safety leadership and culture is leading the way in tackling the change needed in the wider industry. I wish them well in their ongoing journeys.” Also announced at the same time was confirmation that Building a Safer Future will be hosting its second national conference in conjunction with UK Construction Week – Culture Change in Construction: Leading Building Safety. The conference will share the learnings of BSF participants that are engendering a positive culture & behavioural change in building safety and will be held on Thursday 23rd March 2023 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, SW1P 3EE. Details of the conference and an enquiry form to register interest: www.constructionsummits.com/contact-us Nathan Garnett, Director of UKCW at Media 10 Ltd commented: “This will be our second conference with Building a Safer Future, and we look forward to creating more momentum through shared learnings and experience. There can be no better way of learning than by hearing and meeting those that are pioneering the way in this incredibly important mission to improve building safety in the UK. We are reminded daily how big an issue this is for the whole sector and our society as a whole, so we are honoured to be staging conferences like Leading Building Safety which will play their part in carrying on our mission to foster culture change across the built environment and construction sector.” Building a Safer Future (BSF) is a non-profit organisation committed to raising standards in building safety and to support required culture change in the built environment industry. Companies can apply to participate in the BSF Champions programme by visiting the Building a Safer Future website on www.buildingasaferfuture.org.uk and completing the application form**, or alternatively they can email alexander.caller@buildingasaferfuture.org.uk Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals