Network Space Developments (NSD) has let a 17,000 sq ft unit at the flagship Broadheath Networkcentre in Altrincham. A professional services company has taken the last remaining self-contained unit at the Atlantic Street site which means the development, which only completed in February, is already two thirds full. There is
AN environmentally conscious surveying practice is putting sustainability at the heart of its service provision with the creation of a new, bespoke internal training course. Trident Building Consultancy has joined forces with the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) to create a unique course which is aimed at upskilling every building
A VITAL new quay on the south bank of the River Tees is set to be operational in early summer 2024 for the Teesworks industrial development, after the completion of a multi-million-pound investment programme. Building work on the first 450-metre phase of the South Bank Heavy Lift Quay is now
Timber Development UK (TDUK), the UK’s largest trade association for the timber supply chain, is partnering with Carrefour International du Bois, the largest timber trade show in Europe, to offer VIP networking opportunities. Under the terms of the partnership TDUK will be offering limited-edition VIP Tickets (free for TDUK members)
Championing an age-old, low-carbon material in a new form British stone suppliers Albion Stone and Hutton Stone have commissioned architecture practice Artefact to design a 3m tall stone brick installation called Brick from a Stone which will appear at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (21-23 May). The installation will showcase
Prologis UK, a leading owner, investor and developer of logistics property, is bringing to market an additional 159,000 sq. ft. of space to the logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ through an extension of Prologis Park Coventry. Planning consent has been granted to deliver either a single unit or two-unit scheme on the
Tilbury Douglas has appointed G&H Group to provide all mechanical and electrical design and build services for Bradford College’s Garden Mills Refurbishment Project. Bradford College was awarded £5.8m from The Office for Students Higher Education Capital Fund to transform a derelict building into a state-of-the-art STEM training and education facility
More than 4,000 industry leaders, tech experts and policymakers will convene at Manchester Central this July for Siemens’ Transform 2024 to explore digital and sustainable transformation, including the contribution that fire protection systems and BMS (Building Management Systems) can make in this regard. The free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition, which
The final two major structures being built to bring HS2 into Birmingham have been approved by local councils – marking another significant milestone for the project. Approval has been granted for the design of two new viaducts, meaning eight “Key Design Elements” (KDEs) on the West Midlands section of the
With its new Xsafe Catch Fan, Doka is redefining benchmarks for construction site safety. The impressive system adds an innovative safety solution and improves efficiency minimising the workforce necessary for assembly and application. Falling material, tools, or debris are a considerable risk on construction sites. Doka provides a safe, high-quality
Network Space Developments (NSD) has let a 17,000 sq ft unit at the flagship Broadheath Networkcentre in Altrincham. A professional services company has taken the last remaining self-contained unit at the Atlantic Street site which means the development, which only completed in February, is already two thirds full. There is also strong interest in the remaining units which offer between 2,000 and 9,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace for small to medium sized enterprises. Simon Eaton, Senior Development Manager at Network Space, said: “Attracting yet another high calibre occupier to Broadheath Networkcentre is testament to the quality and prime location the development provides. “It also helps our occupiers meet their ESG aims, due to the high sustainability credentials of the workspace.” On behalf of NSD, Bansco constructed the 206,000 sq ft Broadheath Networkcentre, which provides 25 units. Regenerating a brownfield site, it is a mix of high-quality refurbished space alongside new builds. Achieving BREEAM Very Good and EPC A ratings, significant efforts were made to further improve sustainability during the construction process by recycling and reusing the existing building materials where possible. In operation initiatives include renewable energy provision through solar panels and electric vehicle charging points across the entire scheme. Ultimately it will support some 400 new jobs and was fast tracked with a £23.25 million loan from Trafford Council and, with over 95% of the project budget being invested in a supply chain within 45 miles of the site, a significant number of local training and employment opportunities were also delivered during construction. Will Kenyon at B8 and Jonathan Williams at Savills are the letting agents for Broadheath Networkcentre by Network Space. In addition to this latest deal, a flurry of pre-lets were swiftly secured, with XPand Logistics, Maersk and worldwide event hire company, Options Greathire, moving onto the now thriving business park. Will Kenyon, director at B8RE, said: “Following completion of all works at Broadheath Network Centre, its great to welcome another global occupier onto the estate. Interest has now ramped up across the smaller units with several currently under offer and due to go through shortly. The estate has already become one of the best in the Manchester area & surrounds, proving to be popular to a wide range of businesses.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AN environmentally conscious surveying practice is putting sustainability at the heart of its service provision with the creation of a new, bespoke internal training course. Trident Building Consultancy has joined forces with the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) to create a unique course which is aimed at upskilling every building surveyor and project manager working in the business. The move bucks the industry trend of having a specialist sustainability individual or small team within a practice that provide advice and input into specific projects. By providing the training across the whole of the business, Trident is ensuring sustainability and reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions is at the forefront of every survey and project it undertakes, helping clients to minimise their impact on the environment. Managing director Dan Roe said the initiative came about because sustainability is the highest topic on everyone’s agenda, particularly clients. The first cohort, comprising of Trident’s senior leaders, has already got started on the programme, with the business aiming to roll out further training to the remainder of Trident’s surveyors over the next year. Mr Roe said: “Many surveying practices and building consultancies have gone down the route of recruiting a small number of in-house staff or small teams that specialise in sustainability. “Whereas we would never rule that out, we want to go beyond that and upskill all of our existing client-facing workforce. We already have a good knowledge and experience of sustainability such as energy performance and how to make buildings more efficient, but we want to turn that into a much wider knowledge so we can advise our clients more comprehensively. “We’re trying to embed sustainability in everything thing we do. A building surveyor’s mindset was traditionally always to fix buildings, but we now want our surveyors not just to be looking at how we repair buildings but how we make them more energy efficient, too. It is a bit of a mindset change and the training programme we’ve developed is designed to facilitate that.” The training course has been developed in partnership with UKGBC, a membership organisation established to transform the sustainability of the built environment. It comprises of online and classroom-based training delivered by experts from the UKGBC, covering topics such as ESG and the built environment, decarbonising buildings, and how net zero strategies can be integrated into commercial retrofits. Mr Roe said it was fantastic to be working with the UKGBC which he described as ‘a leading authority on making buildings more sustainable’. “They have more than 700 members who are all extremely passionate about the subject,” he said. “They lobby government on policy and are at the coalface of developing sustainable solutions that enable people and nature to thrive side-by-side. “Partnering with them for this training means we’re in great hands.” Trident Building Consultancy has nine offices across the UK and Ireland, including Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, and Manchester. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A VITAL new quay on the south bank of the River Tees is set to be operational in early summer 2024 for the Teesworks industrial development, after the completion of a multi-million-pound investment programme. Building work on the first 450-metre phase of the South Bank Heavy Lift Quay is now complete – with 30,000 tonnes of concrete poured into its construction. A total of c. £114m has been invested into the quay on the back of a loan by the UK Infrastructure Bank, which is to be repaid in full by private partners of Teesworks Ltd, as activity over the quay ramps up. Combined with the recently completed South Bank Link Road, the quay will help serve SeAH Wind’s huge £650m monopile manufacturing facility, which is currently under construction immediately to the south of the quay. With its deep-water capabilities and substantial storage, the quay will offer direct access for SeAH’s monopiles to be shipped out to offshore wind farms in the North Sea. The quay will also enable components and raw materials to be shipped into SeAH’s plant and the wider Teesworks site for use in the manufacturing process. Its capabilities are already attracting significant interest from other companies in the offshore wind sector, as Teesworks Operations Director Garry O’Malley explained. Mr O’Malley said: “South Bank Heavy Lift Quay will be a major strategic facility for the North Sea offshore wind industry over the next few decades. “There’s a real shortage of ports on the east coast which have deep water capabilities and large areas of land for storing and marshalling offshore wind farm components before they are shipped out for installation. “South Bank Quay and Teesworks combines both so there’s a real demand for facilities like this.” The deep-water quay, which has taken two years to build by UK contractor GRAHAM will offer at least 13.6 metres of depth for vessels at any state of the tide. Its 450-metre length means that two of the largest offshore wind installation vessels can be comfortably accommodated at the same time, using the heavy lift platform of 30t psm. Leading up to the quay is the recently completed 1.7km South Bank Link Road which unlocks access to more than 500 acres of land, including the SeAH monopile factory, and allows occupiers seamless transport to the Tees and out to the North Sea. Negotiations are advanced with a potential operator of the quay and the facility is set to be operational by early summer. Teesworks CEO Martin Corney said: “Both of these vital projects will unlock access and help trigger thousands of jobs on the Teesworks site and in the wider Teesside/ North East region. “We’ve had a significant amount of interest from global companies on the back of the progress at the quay – and the end of building work means we’re a big step closer to having direct riverside access to Teesworks and a vital route to the North Sea. “The South Bank Link Road is not only vital to unlocking access for SeAH Wind – it also unlocks 500 acres of land for development.” A mammoth 40,000 tonnes of asphalt and surfacing has been laid by North East firm Rainton Construction Ltd – part of the MGL Group – in creating the South Bank Link Road. The £8million of works also include footpaths and a cycleway within proximity to South Bank Station. This underscores the project’s broader aim of enhancing transportation options, not only facilitating rail connectivity but also improving road, cycling and walking infrastructure in the area. The link road is set to extend further through the South Bank site in future phases with building work on an office hub to serve the quay now well underway. Plans are now being examined for phase 2A of the South Bank Heavy Lift Quay which could increase the length of the quay by up to 300 metres, depending on demand from potential occupiers and users. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We simply could not have achieved what we have on the Teesworks site without our Joint Venture partners – they have been crucial in how far we’ve come, and these milestones are perfect examples of that. “All the jigsaw pieces are falling into place for South Bank Quay to serve Teesside as a vital link to the North Sea. We’re also making sure the infrastructure, roads and power are all in place so more huge investors can come to Teesworks to create good, well-paid jobs for local people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Timber Development UK (TDUK), the UK’s largest trade association for the timber supply chain, is partnering with Carrefour International du Bois, the largest timber trade show in Europe, to offer VIP networking opportunities. Under the terms of the partnership TDUK will be offering limited-edition VIP Tickets (free for TDUK members) to the conference, taking place from 28-30 May 2024 in Nantes, France. These VIP Tickets allow members to benefit from special networking opportunities, access to the VIP/Press Lounge with free coffee and soft drinks, and an invitation to the closing Gala Drinks Networking event. Speaking about the partnership, TDUK CEO David Hopkins, said: “We’re very pleased to be partnering with Carrefour International du Bois this year. Europe is the UK’s main source of supply for all timber products and Carrefour attracts the widest range of companies covering all product bases. “TDUK acts as a window into the UK market for overseas suppliers, so we are looking forward to the networking opportunities this brings to both sides. These relationships are crucial, and we look forward to seeing many members there.” David will be a key speaker at the Carrefour International du Bois session “Timber Architecture and Global Trends” on Tuesday 29 May alongside speakers from across France. During the session he will outline of the UK Government’s “Timber in Construction Roadmap” as well as a new publication from TDUK, Timber Policy, a comparative study of policies across Europe which aim to encourage a greater use of timber in construction. Carrefour du Bois is the largest timber trade show in Europe, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of international visitors over three days in Nantes, France from 28-30 May 2024. Tickets to join TDUK at Carrefour International du Bois as a VIP delegate are very limited, so book your place – for free – now if you wish to join. TDUK Members can apply for these limited-edition VIP Tickets here. To learn more about Carrefour du Bois click here: www.timbershow.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Championing an age-old, low-carbon material in a new form British stone suppliers Albion Stone and Hutton Stone have commissioned architecture practice Artefact to design a 3m tall stone brick installation called Brick from a Stone which will appear at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (21-23 May). The installation will showcase stone bricks which both companies are launching this year. These bricks have remarkable environmental credentials, with carbon intensity reductions of about 75% when compared to clay-fired bricks – they only have about a quarter of the carbon footprint of traditional bricks. Heritage Portland Stone Brick from Albion Stone Darney Heritage Natural Brick from Hutton Stone Both companies have invested in state-of-the-art machinery and technology to turn ‘unloved stone’ (blocks and slabs that do not readily conform to sanitized ranges that have become the norm for stone today) into a sustainable building material. These bricks meet the growing appetite for more environmentally friendly buildings and the aesthetic specifications of planners across the UK who often prefer new buildings to be constructed or clad with bricks to suit the local vernacular. Stone is increasingly recognised as a stronger, more durable, more recyclable, and lower-carbon alternative to the steel and concrete that has become synonymous with the built environment in the 20th and 21st centuries. The manufacture and transportation of steel and concrete involve enormous amounts of energy which largely comes from fossil fuels. Stone starts as zero carbon as it doesn’t need to be manufactured, although energy is needed to extract it from the ground, cut it into blocks and carve it if needed. The final product has a low factor of embodied carbon. When local stone is used for local construction projects, the carbon footprint associated with transportation is negligible. As we move towards electric machinery and transportation powered by renewable energy, the embodied carbon of natural stone will continue to reduce. Brick from a Stone Brick from a Stone will be installed between two iconic red London telephone boxes on Clerkenwell Green from 21-23 May. The installation will consist of a colonnade of six columns constructed from stone bricks in two rows with a roof to provide shelter. The plinths that support the three slender columns to the rear will reflect the production process from stone boulders at the base, to slabs, strips, blocks and finally bricks. The three more substantial columns at the front looking out over Clerkenwell Green will showcase the beauty and finishes of the bricks. Designs are being developed for a brick table or bench beside the colonnade to encourage dwell time and there are plans to incorporate a dog water bowl into one of the plinths to reference the historic water trough for horses next to the installation on Clerkenwell Green. “Our installation Brick from a Stone celebrates the variety of natural stone that lies in abundance beneath our feet, showcasing stone brick, a beautiful ‘new’ product that will help to decarbonise our buildings and provide an alternative to clay-fired brickwork. Our piece hints at the potential to create a new low-carbon vernacular for masonry buildings in the UK that marries the enduring qualities of natural stone with the hand-made qualities of brick,” said Daniel Marmot, Director of Artefact. “Situated in Clerkenwell Green, the installation picks up on the history of the site, referencing the nearby horse trough with a drinking bowl for local dog walkers, a roof for shelter, benches and a table to place drinks from the pub next door. While the front columns are smooth and finished, the rear columns emerge from a rough-edged boulder, celebrating the production process,” added fellow director Benedetta Rogers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis UK, a leading owner, investor and developer of logistics property, is bringing to market an additional 159,000 sq. ft. of space to the logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ through an extension of Prologis Park Coventry. Planning consent has been granted to deliver either a single unit or two-unit scheme on the site, depending on customer demand. Located five minutes from M6 J3 and within 15 miles of five different motorways, Prologis Park Coventry is a highly sought-after location for businesses within the automotive and wider logistics sector. The scheme provides a unique opportunity for prospective customers to take full advantage of Prologis UK’s build-to-suit offering and secure prime logistics space in one of the UK’s most desirable locations. This latest investment follows a string of other recent planning successes for the business, including at Prologis Parks Luton, Hemel Hempstead and Croydon. Once complete, the scheme at Prologis Park Coventry will bring the total value of assets under Prologis management in the Midlands to over £3 billion and the business’ Warwickshire footprint to over 3.4 million sq. ft., spread across its holdings at Prologis Park Ryton and Prologis Park Coventry. Maria Bailey, Head of Planning at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, added: “It is our foremost priority to support activity which will directly provide a net benefit to our region. The granting of this planning application means that there are more chances than ever for the local community to pursue roles within a stable and progressive industry. Supporting the growth of businesses, and attracting more commercial activity to the area, will secure the delivery of a valuable employment site and bring inward investment and jobs to the borough.” Planned with employee wellbeing in mind, the scheme is located opposite Coventry Country Park with connecting access routes for employees and the community. Another key feature of Prologis UK’s PARKlife offering, landscaped communal areas have been drawn up in the planning designs. With the opportunity to be neighbours with major companies such as IFCO, Halfords, DHL, Parcel Force and Co-Op, the unit will be delivered to Prologis UK’s high sustainability standards, targeting an EPC A and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, as well as being net zero carbon in construction. Caroline Musker, Head of Planning at Prologis UK, said: “This multi-million-pound expansion of Prologis Park Coventry will help to activate growth of local businesses and generate further inward financial opportunities. We pride ourselves in our expertise in providing agile spaces that deliver scalable groundbreaking solutions. Delivering flexibility through our two permissions at this scale means we can be adaptable to the market and the requirements of prospective tenants.” Businesses at Prologis Park Coventry are supported by a highly skilled labour pool and potential talent base that is ideally suited to the logistics and distribution operations, across a wide range of sectors. Avison Young and Holt Commercial are acting on behalf of Prologis UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tilbury Douglas has appointed G&H Group to provide all mechanical and electrical design and build services for Bradford College’s Garden Mills Refurbishment Project. Bradford College was awarded £5.8m from The Office for Students Higher Education Capital Fund to transform a derelict building into a state-of-the-art STEM training and education facility to benefit students studying digital, science and allied health subjects. G&H Group was appointed to support main contractor Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out company, following a successful tender submission. A 20-strong team, including four apprentices, will deliver a complete mechanical and electrical design and build for the new, cutting-edge higher education facility including lighting, power, heating, domestic services, gas and ventilation. To support the requirements of Part L of the building regulation and the college’s sustainability commitments, G&H Group has designed the heating system to facilitate the future installation of air source heat pump technology, ensuring that all installed emitters and pipework can operate at lower system temperatures. On planned completion in August, ahead of the start of the new academic year, the renovated mill will boast cutting-edge dental facilities including a specialist dentistry suite, a prep room, six higher education digital IT labs, an ophthalmic dispensing suite, a real-life work environment with consulting and testing booths, a clinical suite, and academic teaching spaces. Forming part of Bradford College’s ambitious estates strategy, these new facilities will nurture pioneering careers in sectors that support regional economic growth. David Davis, director, G&H Group said: “We have extensive experience delivering MEP projects for the education sector and collaborating with Tilbury Douglas. Helping transform the derelict Garden Mills Building into an innovative higher education college will hugely benefit the students and support their future careers.” Paul Ellenor, regional director for Tilbury Douglas, said: “We’re delighted to be teaming up once again with G&H Group to deliver this refurbishment project for Bradford College, providing dedicated specialist facilities to support higher-level STEM teaching and provide an enhanced student experience.” Christopher Malish, Bradford College vice principal Finance & Corporate Services, added: “This is a huge boost for the College but is also a transformative investment in Bradford city centre that also supports the wider city centre development. These new facilities will allow the delivery of curricula designed to address big societal challenges, enrich our local workforce, and showcase a range of inspiring careers.” Established in 1998, G&H Group is a market leading MEP provider. Its 180-strong experienced team design, manage, deliver and maintain every aspect of MEP schemes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 4,000 industry leaders, tech experts and policymakers will convene at Manchester Central this July for Siemens’ Transform 2024 to explore digital and sustainable transformation, including the contribution that fire protection systems and BMS (Building Management Systems) can make in this regard. The free-to-attend two-day conference and exhibition, which will take place on July 17th and 18th, will support industry in tackling its most urgent challenges and provide a platform for delegates from a wide range of sectors to collaborate on potential solutions and share knowledge. The 2024 event follows the business’s inaugural Transform 2022 event at the same venue, which heard from leaders including world-renowned economist Lord Jim O’Neill, F1’s Red Bull Racing, engineering group Arup and Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Speakers for this year’s event will be revealed in the coming months. Participants will get free consultation from Siemens’ experts to help address their transformation challenges, including how to fund new projects. Live hackathons will also solve real-world industry challenges in real-time. Carl Ennis, CEO at Siemens GB & Ireland, said: “Transform 2024 will host the community that is solving today’s most pressing challenges. Combining the real and digital worlds in new ways is at the heart of so many of the strategies that are making this possible. “Our aim is for delegates to leave with greater clarity and confidence to move forward with digital and sustainability transformation, and to help them discover tangible solutions for making their organisation more competitive, resilient, and sustainable. “As we know from Transform 2022, events like this create an environment that provides the means for industry to convene and collaborate – helping them to deploy groundbreaking technologies to strike at new opportunities. And it acts as a crucial forum to debate broader issues, from how we grow the UK’s STEM talent pool to how we can effectively champion UK industry on the global stage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The final two major structures being built to bring HS2 into Birmingham have been approved by local councils – marking another significant milestone for the project. Approval has been granted for the design of two new viaducts, meaning eight “Key Design Elements” (KDEs) on the West Midlands section of the route have now passed the Schedule 17 process. KDEs are structures on the HS2 project identified as being significant because of their size, proximity to communities, or location within sensitive areas. Because of these challenges, HS2 has undertaken extensive engagement with local communities to listen to people’s views and incorporate feedback in the design of the structures where possible. The River Blythe Viaduct has received Schedule 17 planning approval from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. A 475-metre low-lying structure, just south of the new HS2 Interchange Station in Solihull, it is designed to skim the flat, agricultural landscape as it crosses the River Blythe, the floodplain and Meriden Road near Hampton in Arden. Feedback from the local community has been incorporated into the planning of the construction of this viaduct, particularly regarding tree planting and protecting the local environment in the areas near the river which are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Saltley Viaduct has received planning approval from Birmingham City Council. It is a 225-metre structure, including approaches, located two miles north-east of Birmingham city centre, and will take the B4144 road over the HS2 line, the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal, the Birmingham and Derby rail line and the River Rea. It will be an important crossing point, providing access to the city centre and the wards of Nechells and Alum Rock. A wider pathway to make room for cyclists, additional lighting, and replacing stainless steel material with weathering steel panels and a perforated pattern, were key requirements from local people, which have all been incorporated. Stephen Powell, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Delivery said: “Achieving these two KDE planning approvals is a significant milestone for the project. It’s been hugely important for us to engage and consult with communities as we reach the final design stages of these key structures in the West Midlands, and we’re very grateful for the feedback they have provided. “Our designers have incorporated local feedback in all of these Key Design Element structures, including enhanced environmental features, use of materials and additional amenities such as footpaths and cycling tracks in the areas around them, ensuring that we have the best outcome for everyone.” Nick McGough, Director at Weston Williamson + Partners, and Lead Architect for the Balfour Beatty VINCI Design Joint Venture, which is designing HS2 in the West Midlands, said: “All of HS2 needs to be designed sensitively but KDE structures in particular were identified through the parliamentary process due to their scale and significance. The whole team has worked incredibly hard for over 6 years to engage local communities in a process which has involved Local Authorities, key stakeholders and the HS2 Independent Design Panel. “The approvals received for the River Blythe Viaduct and Saltley Viaduct complete the set of KDEs in the West Midlands which will bring HS2 into central Birmingham, whilst contributing positively to local communities. For the River Blythe Viaduct this includes landscape enhancements whilst at Saltley, active travel is encouraged with dedicated pedestrian and cycleways separated from road traffic.” One other KDE in Birmingham is: One other KDE in Solihull is: Four other KDEs in North Warwickshire are: These KDE structures form part of the section being designed and built by Balfour Beatty VINCI, HS2’s construction partner in the Midlands, together with a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA with Weston Williamson + Partners as architects. This project team is responsible for delivering the 90km stretch of the route spanning from Long Itchington in Warwickshire to the centre of Birmingham and on to Handsacre in Staffordshire. A workforce of over 9,000 people and 400 companies in the West Midlands are helping to build HS2. In total BBV are building 42 viaducts (totalling 11km), 62 overbridges, 62 embankments, 34 cuttings, 28 underbridges, 11 underpasses, along with two twin bore tunnels and two cut and cover tunnels (totalling 15km). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With its new Xsafe Catch Fan, Doka is redefining benchmarks for construction site safety. The impressive system adds an innovative safety solution and improves efficiency minimising the workforce necessary for assembly and application. Falling material, tools, or debris are a considerable risk on construction sites. Doka provides a safe, high-quality catch fan system, which can be deployed and re-positioned quickly in just a few simple steps. Maximum flexibility Two particularly clever mechanisms are at the heart of Doka’s development. In combination with the innovative suspension of nets, the easy-lock system enables efficient installation via a snap mechanism of the floor shoe: A safety lever secures the vertical tube of the Xsafe Catch Fan in place; without the need to use fastening couplers. With the quick-folding mechanism, the net is folded from the upper slab by pulling on a rope. This new solution does not require multiple workers working simultaneously on two levels but enables the net to be folded by just one user, minimising manpower and crane time during re-positioning and cleaning. All-round winner The vertical extensions of the Xsafe Catch Fan are specifically designed to meet the customer’s needs: Square tubes do not require hole alignment when securing with bolts. Once assembled on the ground, the Xsafe Catch Fan can easily be lifted and quickly re-positioned from floor to floor without adjustment to the vertical extensions. “With the development of the Xsafe Catch Fan, we identified the potential to provide additional safety on construction sites. Customers benefit from efficient and simple workflows, allowing them to focus fully on the essentials of day-to-day construction site operations,” says Thomas Lattacher, Product Manager, Xsafe Catch Fan. Continued innovation Since the beginning of 2024, the Xsafe Catch Fan also features a unique solution for areas sometimes difficult to cover. With it’s innovative, foldable and EN 1263 compliant corner solution, Doka sets new standards in protection against falling objects. With few additional parts, customers can create corner units from their existing stock or get full packages straight from their local Doka partner. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
