Taconova installs 229 Heat Interface Units in new residential development A new £37m residential development in Sheffield is benefiting from sustainable and efficient heating, courtesy of Taconova’s market-leading Heat Interface Units (HIUs). The Ironworks: Redefining Urban Living Situated on Scotland Street, the Ironworks has been developed by Rise Homes and
HGV driver training specialist HGVC has been appointed by leading builders’ merchant MKM Building Supplies to train 54 drivers under the Government’s Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving. Under the contract, HGVC is delivering funded courses, with the Department for Education (DfE) providing a 70% contribution towards the cost of training, with
Baumit, a leader in energy-efficient and breathable insulation and façades, has developed a new Mobile Training Centre for its External Wall Insulation (EWI), Render and Plaster systems. The Mobile Training Centre is now open for bookings from merchants and tradespeople looking to discover more about the company’s innovative, breathable products
When your business involves sending hundreds of workers out to disconnected sites where they could be exposed to dangerous gases, safety should be a top priority. But how can real-time insights and actionable data help enable you to offer your workforce enhanced protection? This was the challenge facing Cappagh Browne
Leading independent energy developer Balance Power today announces it has secured planning approval for a 40MW battery storage project in Cheshire. The project, located in Cheadle, will store renewable energy at times of peak generation and export it back on to the grid when demand is high, balancing intermittency and
A STATE-OF-THE-ART leisure, enterprise and education centre being developed by leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is one step closer to realisation, following council approval. The Five Acres site in Berry Hill, Coleford, is set to undergo transformation via Pick Everard and contractor BAM Construction Limited, after unilateral agreement on plans
The KönigOutdoor showroom at the Sky House Design Centre is the perfect starting point for any outdoor living project. The three beautiful outdoor kitchens, made with the most durable materials, feature an array of configurations and design elements to provide inspiration to the interior or garden designer, architect and homeowner.
With policy reforms for national projects high on the agenda for the UK government, major infrastructure leaders will come together at the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) Forum in London on 6-7 March 2024, to examine the latest policy updates and plans to speed up the consenting process. The two-day
Following the announcement of Glazpart’s Link Vent 4000 shortlisting for three awards at the Building Performance Awards organised by The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Glazpart team is now looking forward to attending the prestigious awards event in London on 29th February. Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director
Leeds College of Building and leading technology firm Collsys have joined forces to pioneer a new software package for the further education sector. The Collsys ‘Academic Suite’ is designed to track knowledge, skills, and behaviours across all academic disciplines. It combines with their ‘Employability Suite’ to provide a comprehensive single
Taconova installs 229 Heat Interface Units in new residential development A new £37m residential development in Sheffield is benefiting from sustainable and efficient heating, courtesy of Taconova’s market-leading Heat Interface Units (HIUs). The Ironworks: Redefining Urban Living Situated on Scotland Street, the Ironworks has been developed by Rise Homes and brings much-needed quality rented accommodation to Sheffield. Building work began in January 2021 on the site of the former Queens Hotel, and in September 2023, Rise Homes and Taconova were joined by the Mayor of Sheffield to open the new 12-storey Ironworks building. Inside The Ironworks This development encompasses 229 furnished apartments, comprising 144 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom, and 5 two-bedroom duplex units. A focus on sustainability is evident, with each unit connected to the building’s communal biomass boiler-powered heating system. The Heating System Water heated by the basement biomass boiler circulates through the building’s risers and into the Heat Interface Unit (HIU) in each of the 229 apartments. The HIUs ensure efficient and consistent heating and domestic hot water provision, maintaining optimal temperature and flow for the residents. TacoTherm H 3000E: The Core of Heating Each flat features a TacoTherm H 3000E Heat Interface Unit. This HIU is an electronically controlled, compact, and connection-ready all-in-one unit that offers indirect heat transfer for heating and domestic hot water. The 229 HIUs had to be supplied, installed, and commissioned within a three-month window. Taconova delivered 50 HIUs per week, and the contractor installed them in the utility cupboard of each apartment. The TacoTherm H 3000E has been designed specifically for multi-storey residential buildings and provides an operating pressure of 6 bar. It has an operating temperature of 90°C and generates hot water temperatures of up to 60°C. The TacoTherm H 3000E is highly efficient and has an overall Volume Weighted Average Return Temperature (VWART) figure of 26, making it a market leader – as independently tested by BESA (Building Engineering Services Association). More Than Just Hardware One of the standout benefits of opting for an electronically controlled HIU is the availability of data. The initial specification for this project was for Heat Interface Units only. However, the TacoTherm H 3000E offers much more than just hardware. The HIU has a smart meter which enables remote monitoring and analysis of heat consumption. The meter gathers information from across the network, from the plant room to the HIU. With this data, the system’s efficiency can be tracked, and improvements may be made based on the information. Likewise, if there are any inefficiencies or faults, these can be identified, pinpointed, and rectified quickly. The Ironworks management chose to also install the suggested smart heating controls and offer the controls to the residents through a smartphone or tablet app. These controls mean heating can be switched on or off remotely, potentially saving energy. Rigorous Quality Assurance Acceptance Test: Good Performance Before the project was completed, Taconova conducted testing on each HIU. This service formed part of the Taconova’s commitment to ensuring the HIUs function to the correct specification. The testing analysed the operating pressure, temperature, and hot water temperatures in each apartment and measured the overall efficiency of the heating system during a 48-hour period. The results were then measured against set parameters. After Taconova’s engineers had completed the adjustments and remedial work, the tests were conducted again. Improvements were evident and the scheme was performing according to the set design parameters and achieved overall network compliance. On-going Monitoring for Sustainable Living As part of its commitment to customer service and sustainability, Taconova will continue to monitor and improve the heating system for the lifetime of the scheme. It is well documented that the efficiency of a newly built property drops substantially after the first 12-month operation, so it’s important to monitor the efficiency of the whole heating system beyond the initial year. The ongoing monitoring provides complete oversight of the whole system, not just the HIUs. Therefore, it is possible to recommend improvements to ensure that the network remains at the optimum efficiency level. For example, adjusting the plant room temperature during the summer and winter can optimise the system and improve efficiency. As well as providing constant monitoring and improvement suggestions, Taconova will also support Ironworks with annual servicing of the HIUs, as part of the service level agreement. A Greener Future Exciting plans for the future reveal that things could get even greener if the Ironworks development can join the Sheffield City District Heating Network. This district heating network is one of the largest city heat networks in the UK and currently supplies 2,800 homes and 140 commercial buildings, saving 21,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The focal point of the network is the city’s incinerator which burns 120,000 tonnes of municipal waste each year, producing up to 60MW of thermal energy. With an expansion and improvement to the network, it is hoped that the Ironworks will be able to benefit from the waste heat generated from Sheffield’s incinerator. Joining the network will mean the Ironworks can replace the biomass boiler and utilise waste heat from the network, further enhancing the building’s green credentials. The indirect TacoTherm H 3000E HIU is future-ready and will seamlessly transition to the heat network and deliver efficient heating to the residents in the building. Thanks to the HIU’s pre-fitted heat meter, the residents’ heat consumption will be calculated based on what they use. Switching to the heat network will mean a lower heating tariff compared to the biomass boiler, so residents’ energy bills will also be lower. Innovative heating solutions like Taconova’s indirect TacoTherm H 3000E HIUs are part of the company’s mission to offer reliable, low-maintenance, and highly efficient heating solutions that save customers time, effort, and money. To find out more, please visit: www.taconova.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HGV driver training specialist HGVC has been appointed by leading builders’ merchant MKM Building Supplies to train 54 drivers under the Government’s Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving. Under the contract, HGVC is delivering funded courses, with the Department for Education (DfE) providing a 70% contribution towards the cost of training, with MKM covering the remainder. MKM Building Supplies is the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchants and is continuing to expand across the UK, reporting a 13% increase in annual revenue last year. The business wanted to upskill existing members of staff to meet growing customer demand and support continued business growth. MKM opted to outsource the training to HGVC, for a fully managed service making use of the HGV Skills Bootcamp funding available from the UK Government. HGVC was able to immediately onboard and book drivers for every element of licence acquisition, make use of government funding and offer training in locations across the UK. James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, said: “Many UK firms that rely on drivers need to ability to ramp up their training capacity quickly in response to business growth. The Government’s Skills Bootcamps allows businesses across any sector to do just that, and we’re delighted to be working with MKM Building Supplies in this programme.” Kerry Hunt, Learning & Development Business Partner, MKM Building Supplies added:“Additional drivers allow us to meet our customer needs more effectively, so this is a critical business issue. We found the whole experience to be very smooth, and the entire process very well organised. HGVC also provided access to monthly and on-request reporting to update the training team on the progress of each delegate, so we had full visibility of where each candidate was on their training journey”. HGVC offers high-quality HGV driver training across more than 400 centres throughout the United Kingdom. Offering both small and large-scale licence acquisition programmes, it is the provider of choice for many companies across the country. HGVC leads the Driver Academy Group (DAG), a consortium comprising workforce solutions group Manpower and trade body Logistics UK. DAG was recently awarded a full extension of its contract with the Department for Education (DfE) to provide training under the Government’s extended Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving. The scheme will train and place into work thousands more HGV drivers across England over the coming year. The DfE funding offers a lifeline for both individual candidates and employers dealing with budget constraints given the cost-of-living crisis. DAG has secured funding to train a further 2,160 individuals over the next 12 months. Within the new contract, DAG will deliver funded courses, offering employers a 70% contribution towards the cost of HGV driver training. Since the launch of the Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving in December 2021, the DAG has trained around 1,400 drivers. Some 1,070 trainees have now passed their practical test and are ready to drive. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Baumit, a leader in energy-efficient and breathable insulation and façades, has developed a new Mobile Training Centre for its External Wall Insulation (EWI), Render and Plaster systems. The Mobile Training Centre is now open for bookings from merchants and tradespeople looking to discover more about the company’s innovative, breathable products and services. The Baumit Mobile Training Centre is fitted out with space for practical demonstrations, meaning it provides similar hands-on application experience to that of the main Baumit Training Academies in Maidstone and Doncaster. Attendees have the convenience of learning about Baumit EWI, Render and Plaster skills in their local area, which means less time is spent away from their business. Attending a training session offers customers numerous benefits. This includes becoming a Baumit approved installer and being able to issue 10 or 25 year system warranties. Other benefits involve gaining an understanding of EWI best practice and receiving expert advice and ongoing support from the Baumit team. John Harrup, Head of Marketing at Baumit UK, said: “Our new Baumit Mobile Training Centre complements our two Academies in Maidstone and Doncaster, whilst offering a scaled down version that still provides local, hands-on learning. Our aim is to ensure Baumit customers have the utmost confidence when it comes to ordering and applying our EWI, Render and Plaster systems.” John added: “We encourage any merchant, stockist or contractor looking to learn more about these products to get in touch. Bringing training to where customers need it most will be a real game-changer for them. The combination of our best-in-class-trainers and practical demonstrations gives those who attend new skills that will help them drive their businesses forward. We are already attracting interest and bookings!” With recent increases in UK energy prices and demand for more sustainable building solutions, Baumit training is welcomed by customers looking to increase their business in thermal performance upgrades with homeowners, local authorities and social housing providers. Baumit External Wall Insulation offers property owners significantly improved energy efficiency, which, along with Baumit Render and Plaster, also offer all the benefits of being breathable. This allows moisture from inside the building to escape, creating a much more comfortable, healthier indoor environment. Attendance at the Baumit Mobile Training Centre costs £100. The one-day Advanced EWI Training Academies at Baumit in Maidstone and Doncaster cost £200. Following payment, customers are issued with a credit voucher for the full amount to be used against future Baumit purchases. Places at both the mobile EWI Training Centre and Academies are in demand. Customers should check availability and book via www.baumit.co.uk/training For more information on the Baumit products and services, visit www.baumit.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
When your business involves sending hundreds of workers out to disconnected sites where they could be exposed to dangerous gases, safety should be a top priority. But how can real-time insights and actionable data help enable you to offer your workforce enhanced protection? This was the challenge facing Cappagh Browne Utilities Limited, a company specialising in repairing and maintaining wastewater networks across the southeast of England. Learn more about their experience. As managing director of Cappagh Browne, Jeff Birtwhistle plays a key role in helping to keep the sewers of south-east England flowing. With over 30 years’ experience in heavy civil construction, nuclear energy, and utilities, he’s always looking for innovative solutions to help the company improve the service it offers customers – and protect its workforce. So when we introduced our latest generation connected gas connector, the ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector, Jeff was keen for Cappagh Browne to be able to reap the benefits. “When it comes to innovation and new technology, MSA Safety is one of our key and invaluable partners,” he says. The gas detector that is redefining safety management Cappagh Browne was already using a previous generation connected gas detector from MSA Safety that provided certain data for remote monitoring to help protect workers and respond to emergencies. After experiencing those benefits, he wanted to enhance them even further with real-time data. The ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector does this, helping to give Cappagh Browne the chance to leverage new MSA Safety technology, improve overall business efficiency and response times, and significantly improve safety for workers. Offering immediate, on-site connectivity The power of the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector lies in its combination of built-in cutting-edge, CAT-M LTE cellular connectivity and integration with the MSA Grid. Part of MSA Safety’s Connected Work Platform, the ALTAIR io4 Connected Gas Detector can be deployed in seconds, right out of the box. What’s more, no IT is required for updates because they are delivered securely from our cloud to your fleet. When the device is in its dock, it knows when it needs a bump test or calibration to be compliant and immediately starts to run the relevant test. And with industry-leading XCELL® sensors it can stand up to tough use in challenging conditions, resistance to extreme temperatures, the ability to withstand a 25-foot drop and a dust and waterproof IP68 rating. Real-time insights Matt Reid, Head of Fleet for Cappagh Browne, says they are already experiencing the benefits of upgrading to the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector. “We have over 350 employees working across various remote sites in potentially hazardous environments. So real-time safety monitoring is important,” he explains. “Now, with the ALTAIR io 4, we’re able to use real-time data to establish who to use on a particular job because we can see what exposure they’ve had over the last week.” “We can send one person out to a job and then, if they need help, we can send another person out with an ID tag to ‘fob on’ to the same device. We can then track both people safely within the seven-day period to make sure they don’t exceed their exposure limit.” Keeping workers safe throughout the day Managing Director Jeff Birtwhistle adds that it’s the ability to get immediate feedback when a worker’s exposure limit to dangerous gases has been reached that is taking the company’s safety management to new levels. “Being able to intervene on a worker’s behalf and pull them out of a job to protect them is fantastic. It means we can keep our most valuable asset –our people – safe,” he says. Improving compliance The real-time data and actionable insights offered by the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector are also helping to simplify regulatory compliance for Cappagh Browne and enabling supervisors to identify behaviors that don’t meet safety standards, which can help make workers more accountable. Since introducing the solution, the company has experienced zero safety alarms. However, as Matt Reid explains, a worker was able to use the inbuilt alarm to call for help in an unusual situation. “We had an instance where a guy became physically locked out of his vehicle and didn’t have his phone on him. He pushed the alarm button to call for help and we were able to get a second set of keys over to him to unlock the vehicle and get him on the road again.” The partnership with MSA Safety continues Both Jeff and Matt know that at some point in the future they will inevitably be looking for new safety enhancements that they cannot envisage right now. But they are confident that when that time comes, MSA Safety will be there, just as it has been for real-time gas detection monitoring. For now, they are enjoying the enhanced safety that the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector offers their workforce. Fleet manager Matt Reid sums up the benefits. “Using ALTAIR io 4 means we can send our employees home safely to their families every night and that Cappagh Browne can see them again every morning when they turn up for another day’s work.” Keen to see what this technology can do for safety management at your business too? Watch our case study video and find out more about how the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector is redefining safety. Watch the video to find out more about Cappa Browne’s experience using MSA Safety’s ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading independent energy developer Balance Power today announces it has secured planning approval for a 40MW battery storage project in Cheshire. The project, located in Cheadle, will store renewable energy at times of peak generation and export it back on to the grid when demand is high, balancing intermittency and providing grid stability for around 90,000 homes. This will be crucial as the UK transitions towards net zero and renewable power plays an increasing role in the country’s energy mix. Staffordshire Moorlands Council unanimously voted in favour of the project after Balance Power conducted extensive community engagement and received no objections to the project from members of the public. Balance Power worked closely with the community, town council and local district councillors in Staffordshire Moorlands during a period of consultation, listening to their views and addressing any concerns about the project. By enabling more renewable power onto the grid, the Cheadle project will lead to the avoidance of around 5,500 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off the road. The project has also been designed to produce a biodiversity net gain of 61% for habitats and 15% for hedgerows, bringing wider environmental benefits and safeguarding existing wildlife. This forms part of Balance Power’s commitment to finding clean energy solutions to meet communities’ power needs whilst creating positive environmental impacts. The storage facility is due to be operational in 2028, with construction planned to begin as early as 2026. After its 40 year lifecycle the project will be decommissioned, and the site will be returned to its former use and condition. Dan Levy, Planning Lead at Balance Power, said: “We’re extremely excited about securing planning permission for this battery storage facility. Not only will it make a significant contribution to Staffordshire Moorlands achieving its objectives to be carbon neutral by 2030, and bring new clean energy infrastructure to the area, but battery storage is also essential for the UK’s transition to net zero. It’s crucial in diversifying the energy network and reducing the need for fossil fuel technologies. We’re also really proud to have received unanimous support from Staffordshire Moorlands and for the strong support we also received from Cheadle Town Council and nearby residents.” Balance Power has led the way in decentralised energy projects since 2017, working with landowners, communities, and councils in the UK to decarbonise in line with national targets. It has now taken nearly 40 energy projects through to planning consent, creating 426MW of capacity to support the grid. With a further 1.4GW+ of projects under development, Balance Power has a growing pipeline nationwide and is leading the way in engineering a new energy landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A STATE-OF-THE-ART leisure, enterprise and education centre being developed by leading multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is one step closer to realisation, following council approval. The Five Acres site in Berry Hill, Coleford, is set to undergo transformation via Pick Everard and contractor BAM Construction Limited, after unilateral agreement on plans submitted by Forest of Dean District Council. The work, which will commence after the Easter holidays, will be completed in phases. The first of these will focus on repurposing classrooms at an existing educational building – Speedwell House – to create new office and community spaces, alongside a cafe and outreach space for Hartpury University’s Aspiration Centre. The new building will connect Speedwell through a glazed atrium and include the construction of a new multi-purpose four-court sports hall, small performance space, party rooms/dressing rooms and internal changing rooms. Outside there will be a separate external changing block, a secure cycle hub and a new car parking layout, which will introduce 12 electric vehicle charging spaces on the site for the first time. The project, accelerated through the SCAPE Consultancy direct award framework, designed to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings on construction projects, will be delivered by Pick Everard, operating through Perfect Circle to provide a wide range of services, including project management, cost management, health and safety, and sustainability consultancy. Guy Rossiter, principal project manager at Pick Everard, said: “This is a significant milestone in a journey to bring a host of benefits to the community of Berry Hill and further afield. It is a fully encompassing project, that reflects a shift in the way we view and design our local hubs – bringing, leisure, education and business opportunities all under one roof, helping drive future prosperity from one generation to the next. “With planning approved, we look forward to the next phase of this development, collaborating closely with the project team and the council to bring its vision to fruition.” The planning application for the Five Acres site was submitted in November 2023, following community outreach on the proposed redevelopment plans. It is part of the UK government’s wider Levelling Up Fund, with 52 Levelling Up Together grants awarded across the Gloucestershire region in recent months. Councillor Johnathan Lane, cabinet member for economy at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that planning permission has been granted to refurbish the Speedwell building and support the new building designs at Five Acres. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the hard-working council staff and partners, including demolition experts Armac, architects AHR, project and cost consultants Pick Everard and leading construction and property developer BAM, who have all helped make Five Acres a reality. I’d also like thank all our residents for their comments and suggestions, which have allowed us to shape Five Acres into a project that the whole community can be proud of. “The regeneration of Five Acres is hugely important for the community of Berry Hill and the Forest of Dean as a whole. Once completed it will provide leading sport and education facilities, and I can’t wait to see it starting to take shape once construction has begun.” Full details for the Five Acres site redevelopment, as well as documents including designs and comments and questions from previous public forum events can be found here: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/planning-and-building/regeneration/five-acres-redevelopment-site/ To learn more about Pick Everard and its range of services, visit here: https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The KönigOutdoor showroom at the Sky House Design Centre is the perfect starting point for any outdoor living project. The three beautiful outdoor kitchens, made with the most durable materials, feature an array of configurations and design elements to provide inspiration to the interior or garden designer, architect and homeowner. The displays show a variety of sintered stone finishes, from classic marble to more industrial styles, and showcase various design options including handleless doors and drawers, a corner unit for a Kamado grill and a bar-style seating area with a granite worktop and cedar circular support. Pictured is: Königstone island with 12mm handleless drawers in Estatuario (large-veined marble effect). KönigOutdoor is a sophisticated high-end solution for aspirational outdoor living. Combining luxurious sintered stone surfaces with a durable weatherproof structure, a KönigOutdoor kitchen provides the look of an indoor kitchen; with the ability to withstand the elements outdoors. Each kitchen is made to order here in the UK, allowing the customer or designer to create a unique outdoor kitchen to exacting specifications. The outdoor kitchens can also be designed to accept mains services gas, water and electrical services for fully functional outdoor kitchens, outdoors. To start planning a dream outdoor kitchen, please contact Sky House Design Centre to arrange an appointment. Pictured is: KönigOutdoor island with 12mm handleless drawers in Estatuario (large-veined marble effect), 100mm black granite plinths, 30mm feature circular granite and B/Bar with cedar support. For further information on KönigOutdoor, please email info@konigstone.co.uk or visit www.konigoutdoor.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With policy reforms for national projects high on the agenda for the UK government, major infrastructure leaders will come together at the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) Forum in London on 6-7 March 2024, to examine the latest policy updates and plans to speed up the consenting process. The two-day event, which will take place at the Royal National Hotel in London, will provide an opportunity for key stakeholders in major infrastructure projects, to network and share ideas concerning some of the biggest challenges currently facing the sector. Some of the key issues under discussion will be policy reforms, changes impacting the regime,and practical advice on all elements necessary for developing NSIPs that lead to the successful granting of Development Consent Orders (DCOs). A keynote address at this year’s forum will be delivered by James Heath, chief executive at National Infrastructure Commission (NIC). He will explore recommendations made in the second National Infrastructure Assessment. Other speakers include Natalie Freislich-Mills, strategic lead – skills for infrastructure at Suffolk County Council, who will give practical advice on how to build an effective skills strategy for NSIPs. While Douglas Johnson, director of advocacy at the global strategic communications and advocacy group SEC Newgate, will provide valuable insight into improving consultation and community outreach for major infrastructure projects. A panel comprising Jamie Baldwin, development project director at Ørsted (the largest energy company in Denmark), and Charlotte Rushmere, principal planning officer for national infrastructure at Essex County Council, will discuss the future of major infrastructure planning and how to create certainty in the process while navigating timeline constraints. Another panel discussion involving Jim Kitchen, national infrastructure manager at the Environment Agency, will explore how to create a collaborative planning process – one that includes working with key stakeholders across the heritage, nature and environment sectors. The event will be chaired by Gideon Amos OBE, the former planning inspector, UK Infrastructure Planning Commissioner and head of the Town and Country Planning Association, now managing director of Amos Ellis Consulting. As a current Council member of the National Infrastructure Planning Association, Mr Amos keeps a close eye on policy and practice developments and feels it is essential for the industry to come together after a sustained period of economic and political upheaval. Mr Amos said: “The NSIPs Forum 2024 offers a valuable platform for leaders in national infrastructure projects to reflect on the past year, provide practical insights into planning and delivery, and identify opportunities for organisations to make good progress amid ongoing economic instability. “This year I’m delighted our programme will span across a range of salient issues involving policy reforms and provide practical solutions to help improve outcomes for communities, contribute towards net zero and meet future population needs. “There will be plenty of opportunities during the event for delegates to network with over 250 major infrastructure leaders. We look forward to welcoming all our attendees.” The two-day event is organised by Waterfront Conference Company, which delivers physical and virtual policy conferences for the planning, energy, rail, ports and maritime sectors. For more information and to register for the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Forum 2024, visit the event website https://www.nsipsforum.co.uk/ or for other Waterfront events, visit https://www.waterfrontconferencecompany.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the announcement of Glazpart’s Link Vent 4000 shortlisting for three awards at the Building Performance Awards organised by The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Glazpart team is now looking forward to attending the prestigious awards event in London on 29th February. Dean Bradley, Glazpart Sales Director enthused, “Just to be a finalist in three awards for best product innovation for building performance is quite exceptional in its own right. The Link Vent 4000 is not only an essential product that is in much demand in our industry, but it is also now being recognised for its contribution to homeowners’ wellbeing and for the difference it makes to the quality of their lives when living in their homes.” As the only glass or glazing product to be shortlisted in this year’s awards, Glazpart’s Link Vent 4000 has been nominated for three “Best Product Innovation” awards in the following categories: Wellbeing, Air Quality and Thermal Comfort. The Link Vent 4000 has proved to be an important addition to Glazpart’s trickle vent range since it was launched in 2022 in time for the Building Regulations’ changes to Approved Document F (ventilation). Its design and easy control mechanism, as well as its availability in a vast range of colours and finishes has made the Link Vent 4000 an extremely popular choice for fabricators, installers and homeowners – especially for windows and doors of smaller rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and utility rooms. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is the professional body that advances and promotes the art, science and practice of building services engineering. CIBSE also supports the community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. The CIBSE Building Performance Awards always attracts high quality entries and a diverse selection of projects, companies, people and products from across the building industry. The annual event showcases the achievements of companies and individuals who develop strategies for refurbishment and energy-efficient operation of existing buildings, design new buildings that operate more effectively and develop the products and systems that support them. Those shortlisted included detailed evidence which demonstrated actual measured performance and not just design intent or performance specifications. Dean Bradley summarised, “We are looking forward to the awards event in a few weeks and flying the flag for the glazing industry. It promises to be a great occasion.” Winners from the shortlisted entries will be announced at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards on Thursday 29 February 2024, at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. For more information on the Awards, please visit the awards website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leeds College of Building and leading technology firm Collsys have joined forces to pioneer a new software package for the further education sector. The Collsys ‘Academic Suite’ is designed to track knowledge, skills, and behaviours across all academic disciplines. It combines with their ‘Employability Suite’ to provide a comprehensive single platform solution including work placement, enrichment, apprenticeships, and careers. The project began when Leeds College of Building reviewed its existing systems post-pandemic and asked for staff feedback. Increasingly complex requirements and software that was no longer fit for purpose meant that investing in a new college-wide system became a priority. Steve Connell, Assistant Principal at Leeds College of Building, said: “As a busy further education college, we deliver a host of construction specialisms from plumbing, carpentry, and brickwork to civil engineering and transport planning. As such, we needed software that could not only track student work placements and enrichment, but also monitor progress, hold Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), link well with maths, English and support areas, hold student reviews and exam results and monitor attendance and punctuality. “However, little is available to the FE sector which can manage data for both employer placements and student progress, and which is also user-friendly. Market leaders tend to offer solutions for one or the other but not together and can also be difficult to retrieve the correct information. We needed software that would be a one-stop-shop and present data quickly and consistently. “Our old systems were labour intensive and lead to silos or pockets of good practice, so I began talking with one of our existing software suppliers, Collsys. Their CEO, Brian Varley, was keen to explore this further and use expertise in his team to expand existing Collsys software parameters.” The College Work Based Learning and Employer Engagement teams already used Collsys modules for tracking work placements, enrichment, and employer engagement data. The aim was to extend this to a bespoke management platform used by all Leeds College of Building staff. Brian Varley, CEO Collsys, said:“This project has been a great opportunity to enhance our existing Employability Suite offering. Together with Leeds College of Building, we designed the Academic Suite to be easy to use with additional options for tracking ‘Knowledge Skills and Behaviours’ of vocational courses. This means staff can monitor if students are on track at any point in the year and put in earlier interventions. “We also included a joint training plan and review system that is not readily available on the market, given products are often not specifically designed with colleges in mind. A benefit of our system is that because we offer our Employability Suite alongside the Academic Suite, all data is in one place. Tutors can easily look at all aspects of a student’s data without having to switch between systems for reports.” Over the last 12 months, a joint project team spent time researching, developing, designing, testing, and eventually rolling out the Academic Suite project. The new system is now live at Leeds College of Building and manages all aspects of students’ learning. Users can drill down to faculty, departmental, course, or individual student level data. Staff can quickly access vital data, generate reports, and view insights using a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) rating to quickly identify at-risk students, monitor progress, and tailor interventions. Adam Sharpe, system super-user and Leeds College of Building carpentry and Joinery lecturer, said:“The new system has great potential. The fact that Collsys has been made to suit our needs as a college is really pleasing, as this means that people like me and others within our organisation can make this new system the best it can be. Working with the Collsys team has been a pleasure; they have been so responsive when we have had technical issues and very patient when delivering training.” Work is now underway on the next phase of development. The project team has hosted drop-in staff training sessions, created champions and super users, and helped with data transfer to the new system. Plans also include a portal and mobile app to allow employers, parents and carers to monitor a student’s attendance, progress, results, and staff feedback.Steve concluded:“This was an ambitious project, but it paid off. We’ve never had this level of data before! It’s fantastic to have everything in one place and quickly access data in real-time. It’s very user-friendly and is a much more efficient use of precious staff time. This bespoke platform will be crucial for external assessors moving forward as it ties together all aspects of apprenticeships and study programmes. Thanks to Collsys for listening to our needs and building a bespoke system for us. ”Visit www.collsys.co.uk to find out more about Collsys Academic and Employability Suites or email customerservices@collsys.co.uk to learn how Collsys can support other Further Education providers… Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
