Clivet is a company pioneer in the use of new technologies and attentive to environmental issues: in line with this philosophy, they have designed ELFOEnergy Edge Evo (WSAN-YMi), the new range of full DC inverter packaged air cooled heat pumps, equipped with the innovative and ecological R32 refrigerant with GWP
Biosite Systems, a leader in biometric access control and workforce management solutions for the construction industry, has partnered with Costain Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) to deliver a competency management system that has led to 0% non-conformances reported at audit. Working on behalf of High Speed Two (HS2), CSJV was responsible
The RIBA-approved CPD – ‘Specifying an alternative to traditional rainwater systems’ – is a 20 minute long video that provides viewers with a deep understanding of rainwater and soil systems, the requirements for these products and to offer an alternative. It looks at industry standards and regulations, specification requirements, design and
WorkLife Central, The Ashby de la Zouch headquarters of workplace consultants and interior fit-out specialist Blueprint Interiors was transformed as clients and staff gathered to celebrate the company’s 18th anniversary on Thursday 11 July. Over 75 people attended an afternoon BBQ during which each guest was presented with a commemorative
Edinburgh building services specialist MPACT Group Ltd is further enhancing its reputation for undertaking challenging and sensitive projects with the ongoing restoration of St Andrew’s House in the heart of the capital. The Loanhead-based company was appointed by structural engineers, PDP and facilities management giant Mitie to carry out stabilisation, repairs and repointing
One of Birmingham’s most iconic buildings, The Grand Hotel, is set to be redeveloped in a multi-million refurbishment. The Grade II Listed building on Colmore Row is moving into the final stages of its refurbishment, with works comprising the design and fit out of approximately 15,254 sq m internal floor
The #iBuiltThis2019 competition is open for entries. The competition, run by FIS, now in its third year, is a visual campaign that draws on the pride construction workers take when they see finished projects that they have worked on – harnessing the “I Built This” feeling to promote construction as
School and community leaders have come together to mark the official start of building works for the new purpose-built special education needs facilities at Highfield Ely Academy with a groundbreaking ceremony. The special school, which is part of The Active Learning Trust, is the first school in the county to
ceda SAFE is a health and safety accreditation available to any company working in the sector that achieve the necessary Health & Safety levels and covers both Design and Installation businesses. It has been devised as a result of discussions with the Health & Safety Executive who have highlighted a
Congrid, the Finnish construction quality and safety software company, announced its expansion into the UK and the appointment of Daniel Hunt as UK territory manager. The Congrid mobile app introduces new levels of transparency and communication for safety and quality on construction projects and helps deliver zero-defect buildings to clients.
Clivet is a company pioneer in the use of new technologies and attentive to environmental issues: in line with this philosophy, they have designed ELFOEnergy Edge Evo (WSAN-YMi), the new range of full DC inverter packaged air cooled heat pumps, equipped with the innovative and ecological R32 refrigerant with GWP (Global Warming Potential) of -70% compared to the R410A refrigerant. The new WSAN-YMi series of air conditioning is among the first on the market to use R32 refrigerant in order to guarantee high performance and low environmental impact. With heating capacity from 5 kW to 16 kW, it is characterized by wide operating limits, very high efficiency in heating, cooling and domestic hot water production. These features make it the most advanced solution for residential and small commercial applications. ELFOEnergy Edge EVO represents the first step of the new hydronic range with R32, which will be completed with ELFOEnergy Sheen EVO and ELFOEnergy Storm EVO, in order to offer high efficiency full inverter technology and R32 ecological refrigerant from 5 up to 94 kW of power capacity. Performance, low noise operation and flexibility ELFOEnergy Edge EVO WSAN-YMi replaces the range of ELFOEnergy Edge WSAN-XMi heat pumps with R410A refrigerant, offering an improvement of the overall proposal in terms of operating efficiency, functionalities, accessories, and initial investment. Performance at the top of the category guarantees class A++ in heating both in low (35°C leaving water) and in medium temperature (55°C leaving water) and SEER values up to 5 in cooling. Applications that require extra low noise find the ideal solution in this product thanks to two additional silenced and super-silenced operating modes. The management of two temperature zones and operation in combination with auxiliary heat sources (such as a gas boiler) make ELFOEnergy EVO suitable for the most different applications and plant requirements.
Biosite Systems, a leader in biometric access control and workforce management solutions for the construction industry, has partnered with Costain Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) to deliver a competency management system that has led to 0% non-conformances reported at audit. Working on behalf of High Speed Two (HS2), CSJV was responsible for the South section of the £900 million essential enabling works programme and quickly recognised the need for a sophisticated system, to ensure total visibility of the almost 3,500 active workforce. Biosite’s Mosaic solution was tailored to respond to CSJV’s specific challenges to capture and analyse data that would be valuable at both a site and group level. Using multiple devices to capture the data, the system provides real-time movements for each person – including direct employees and subcontractors – and traceability around agreed key areas, including accreditations and skills checking, health and safety briefings and Ethnicity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) data. Online inductions have also been introduced to allow checks and measures to be completed in advance and save valuable time on site. The system has been deployed by CSJV at all 21 sites of the South enabling works programme, spanning 26.8km. Alongside the unprecedented 0% non-conformances reported at internal audit, the system has enabled CSJV to respond to increasing demand for enhanced EDI data, as well as capture toolbox talks, safety briefings and a roll call via a Mobile App. At a corporate level, the system is being utilised for comprehensive, real-time reporting via site and corporate portals to analyse worker competencies, time and attendance and skills gaps, all in real-time. The system has also been integrated with existing CSJV platforms to maximise efficiency and performance, whilst reducing potential conformance issues. On an average monthly basis, the system captures more than 220,000 biometric events (operatives entering a site), with more than 27,000 operatives captured on a mobile device as having completed ‘classes’, which can include toolbox talks, safety briefings and inductions. The scope of the project has meant additional investment in employee resource by both Biosite and CSJV, from apprentice level to product specialists, engineers and dedicated service support. Allison Cameron, SHE Administration Manager, Costain Skanska Joint Venture, explains: “Biosite’s Mosaic solution provided vital clarity around an incredibly complex project, which was critical to optimising performance and meeting strict timescales. Having an effective competency management solution put us in control of our sites by providing the data we needed, when we needed it, which enabled more informed decision-making.” Kamran Ali, Business Manager at Biosite Systems Ltd, adds: “The success of the solution has been a result of the close collaboration between Biosite and CSJV during the development and deployment stages, which married the advanced system capabilities with optimum management and utilisation. As well as achieving 0% non-conformances – which is phenomenal – we’re thrilled that Allison’s exceptional management of the system has also been recognised with multiple award wins, including an Industry Fire Environment (IFE) and Work Sight award.”
The RIBA-approved CPD – ‘Specifying an alternative to traditional rainwater systems’ – is a 20 minute long video that provides viewers with a deep understanding of rainwater and soil systems, the requirements for these products and to offer an alternative. It looks at industry standards and regulations, specification requirements, design and installation, as well as performance and maintenance, and health and safety considerations. Suitable for anyone involved in the specification and installation of rainwater systems including architects, developers and contractors, the online CPD includes case study examples featuring cast iron style rainwater systems across a wide range of applications. The presentation illustrates how modern plastic systems can meet specifier’s requirements for easy-to-install and economical alternatives to traditional cast iron. These systems offer heritage aesthetics without the cast-iron price tag. Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater and Soil range provides an authentic cast iron style in plastic and is a cost effective, easy to install and long term alternative to traditional guttering systems. Approved by many Planning Authorities for use on even the most demanding heritage project, Cascade is so close in detail to genuine cast iron that it is difficult to tell the difference, making it an increasingly popular choice at sympathetic refurbishments, restorations and traditional style new builds. “As a leading manufacturer of plastic rainwater systems, we are well placed to help educate specifiers and installers about the benefits of rainwater and soil systems,” said Paul Wadsworth, Specification Manager Brett Martin Plumbing & Drainage. “Our new CPD presentation will help construction professionals gain an even better understanding of specifying an alternative to traditional rainwater systems.” To view the online CPD module, please click on the following link: –http://www.brettmartin.com/en-gb/plumbing-and-drainage/about-us/online-cpd.aspx
WorkLife Central, The Ashby de la Zouch headquarters of workplace consultants and interior fit-out specialist Blueprint Interiors was transformed as clients and staff gathered to celebrate the company’s 18th anniversary on Thursday 11 July. Over 75 people attended an afternoon BBQ during which each guest was presented with a commemorative biophilic planter as a momento of reaching this milestone anniversary. Founded in 2001 by Chairman Rob Day, the interior fit out business has grown to a turnover of £4m and now employs 15 designers, project managers and experienced support staff. The management team now comprises; Rob Day, Managing Director, Rachel Biddles, Creative Director, Chloe Sproston and Head of Business Development, Andrew Hobson. The re-location and million-pound investment in WorkLife Central in 2017 to create a showroom in which customers can try out and view the latest cutting edge office design products and technology has been a major catalyst of recent success. The company is also differentiating itself by championing the concept that workplace consultancy should be a precursor to design to ensure businesses make the very best of the space available and create environments which inspire and motive their workforce. Commenting, Rob Day said, “2019 has been a momentous year for many reasons. Not only are we celebrating our 18th year in business, we have been shortlisted or won four business awards and have also achieved our objective of becoming renown for workplace consultancy and design across the Midlands region. I would like to thank all the clients and staff that have assisted us on this journey and hope they enjoyed being part of our celebrations.” Some of the many prestigious projects that Blueprint Interiors has worked on across the Midlands include The MIRA Technology Institute, East Midlands Chamber of Commerce new offices, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and Ibstock Brick.
Edinburgh building services specialist MPACT Group Ltd is further enhancing its reputation for undertaking challenging and sensitive projects with the ongoing restoration of St Andrew’s House in the heart of the capital. The Loanhead-based company was appointed by structural engineers, PDP and facilities management giant Mitie to carry out stabilisation, repairs and repointing of the stonework on the dramatic building in Regent Road. It has dedicated a team of three to the project, for which M-Pact first tendered two years ago in a contract which has continued to grow. The work is part of a comprehensive restoration of the Grade A-listed edifice aimed at dealing with corrosion in the steel frame and inspection and repair of the stone cladding on all six floors, working to a height of 35 metres. Mike McGuire, Director at MPACT Group, said: “This has been one of the most challenging projects we have been engaged with and it has grown and grown. The building is a masterpiece in the Art Deco style and is one of the jewels in the capital’s built environment.” St Andrew’s House, built on the site of the old Calton Jail, is an outstanding monument to international architecture’s Modern Movement. When it was opened in 1939, it was the largest metal-framed building in Europe. It has been in constant occupation since it opened and is now the HQ of the Scottish Government, occupied by the First Minister, the Cabinet and some 800 civil servants. It houses offices and conference facilities. MPACT Group’s team – Contract Manager Ross Renton, Stonemason Olly Summers and Stonemason’s assistant Alexander Christie – have had to liaise not only with the structural engineers but also with scientists to create the historically appropriate mix of mortar and sand for the pointing of the stone. Replacement stone for larger repairs was obtained from the original quarry in Northumberland, which was specially opened for the project. The M-PACT team have cut and shaped the more ornamental stonework. Mike McGuire said: “As part of the process of preventing further corrosion of the steel frame, the team is encasing wires in the pointing which can send an electrical pulse to where the mortar meets the framework. “This is known as Impressed Current Cathodic Protection [ICCP] and it is similar in theory to the system used on ocean-going ships to prevent sea water corrosion of their hulls. However, I have never seen it used on a building of this size before. “The large scale ICCP has been designed to suppress the corrosion process, which along with the other measures, should ensure the building continues to provide high-quality accommodation for the Scottish Ministers.” MPACT Group Ltd has a strong corporate social responsibility agenda. It has won a number of awards within the electrotechnical industry in Scotland, most recently in October last year when it was chosen by trade body SELECT as 2018’s Best Large Contractor. The award illustrated MPACT Group’s remarkable growth trajectory. In both 2011 and 2012, it was also a SELECT awards winner – in the Best Small Contractor category, for companies with turnover of less than £250,000.
One of Birmingham’s most iconic buildings, The Grand Hotel, is set to be redeveloped in a multi-million refurbishment. The Grade II Listed building on Colmore Row is moving into the final stages of its refurbishment, with works comprising the design and fit out of approximately 15,254 sq m internal floor space to create a 185-bedroom luxury hotel. GRAHAM has been appointed to deliver the final works for the historic building, which was originally built in 1879 by Isaac Horton, whose family still owns it today. Along with accommodation, the iconic building project will add a lounge, destination restaurant and bars, gym facilities, conference and meeting rooms, commercial kitchens, and an external feature terrace. GRAHAM will also carry out the sensitive restoration of the prestigious Grosvenor ballroom. “The Grand Hotel is a symbol of Birmingham’s rich history. We are pleased to be working with the Hortons’ Estate and Starwood Capital Group to restore the building to its former glory. The sympathetic refurbishment will provide the historic building with a new lease of life and offer Birmingham’s prestigious Colmore Row a luxury venue for overnight stays and parties once again,” said John Maguire, Regional Business Development Director for GRAHAM’s Birmingham office. The project is expected to be completed in Q2 2020.
The #iBuiltThis2019 competition is open for entries. The competition, run by FIS, now in its third year, is a visual campaign that draws on the pride construction workers take when they see finished projects that they have worked on – harnessing the “I Built This” feeling to promote construction as a career choice. The competition platform goes live on 13 June and entries will close on 15 September with the winners announced at the awards ceremony at UK Construction Week on 8 October 2019. FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee stated, “The construction industry employs around 3.1 million people, that equates to one in ten people working in the UK. #iBuiltThis is about celebrating this through social media. It is something that everyone in construction can get behind. We’ve focussed on making it simple. This launch is a call to action to individuals and companies to take #iBuiltThis and make it your own, use it to highlight excellent work one of your new starters or apprentices has done, as an initiative to help engage with your local school, college or even Scout group, make entering an activity for a young person on work experience or encourage your own children to enter – use it to help those around you to understand the joy that can be found in making and building, making a mark on the future landscape of the UK.” To encourage young people to get involved, the competition has been divided into three age groups with some fabulous prizes to be won: 13 and under (family trip to Legoland with an overnight stay at Castle Hotel, 14-18 (an iPhone XR) and 19 plus (a getaway for two adults in one of Canopy & Stars exclusive properties in the UK). We would like entrants to share a photo of themselves (selfie) with the image of a completed project they have built, or helped to build and enter on the competition platform when it opens on 13 June. FIS is encouraging schools and colleges to get fully engaged with and run their own mini #iBuiltThis competitions and enter the finalists and winners via a secure platform. A special prize for the most engaged school or college will be awarded to the institution that makes the most entries. The competition is open to everyone who has a passion for building, construction, design, fit-out, interiors and more. Entrants are encouraged to be as creative as possible, whether it’s a model, a physical structure, building, drawing or even a digital design using software. They are free to use any material for their build. This year’s competition sponsors include, UK Construction Week, Silver Trowel Ltd, Building Heroes, CSCS, Astins Ltd and Michel Mersh Brick Holdings Plc. We also have an exclusive line-up on the judging panel consisting of industry leaders, advocates and educators who are backing this competition. The diversity the judging panel bring demonstrate how collaboration across the industry can help us to reach out to a wider audience and present construction as an attractive industry, full of opportunity and diversity of careers for young people and new entrants. This year’s judging panel: • Alison Watson MBE – Founder and chief executive of Class of Your Own • Brendan Williams – CEO of Building Heroes • Fred Mills – Co-Founder and managing director of The B1M channel • Kathryn Lennon-Johnson – Founder and director of Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS) • Mark Farmer – industry advocate and Founding director and CEO of Cast Consultancy • Naomi Hamilton – winner of IBT2018 – 14-18 age category contest – will be in attendance • Rebecca Lovelace – Founder of Building People • Steve Coley – FIS immediate past president and FIS Skills Board member The competition will be judged on the best creative picture and best response to the question asked within each age category. The public vote will make up 50% of the overall scores. The remaining 50% of the scores will be ranked in order by the judging panel. Alison Watson MBE, Founder and chief executive of Class of Your Own said “I am thrilled to be involved in #iBuiltThis 2019 competition, it’s a great way to engage with people of all ages, especially young people and inspire them to use their skills in building and showcasing the projects they are proud of. I would encourage everybody to enter, especially schools and colleges. I am looking forward to seeing all the brilliant entries for this competition”. For more information about #iBuiltThis2019 competition, sponsorship or you would like to get involved and become Competition Ambassadors: email yasminkauser@thefis.org or visit our website page on: www.thefis.org/skills-hub/i-built-this-2019-competition/
School and community leaders have come together to mark the official start of building works for the new purpose-built special education needs facilities at Highfield Ely Academy with a groundbreaking ceremony. The special school, which is part of The Active Learning Trust, is the first school in the county to provide specialist and dedicated support and facilities for SEN students aged 2 to 25. A dedicated wing for younger children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 will be created, and the former Early Years area will be refurbished to provide improved facilities for staff. This will bring the campus in line with the required standards. A new block will house a new hydrotherapy pool, sports hall and fitness suite, as well as independent teaching and social areas to meet the needs of young adults with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. A new provision for Cambridgeshire, LINC 19-25 (Learning, Independence, Needs and Care), will offer accredited courses and specialist therapy services to meet the personal, daily and medical needs of up to ten young people from September 2020. Cambridgeshire County Council’s education capital team are leading the £6.7million build project on behalf of the school. Enabling works have already begun with R G Carter officially starting on 1st July, led by designs from Atkins. The facilities are expected to be completed during the summer term 2020, ready for the academy to start using by September 2020. Simon Bainbridge, Executive Headteacher at Highfield Ely Academy said: “Today is a monumental moment for us and we are thrilled that work has begun on our new facilities. It will provide our students with a fantastic array of new experiences to help support and stimulate them as well as build their independence. We look forward to watching the building progress, and to sharing the results with everyone.” Simon Bywater, Chairman of the Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People Committee said: “It is great to see work starting at Highfield School. The facilities for young adults aged 18-25 is a first for Cambridgeshire and enables support and care to be provided in a dedicated space designed for young adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties. The extension will also provide new classrooms for younger children, as well as brand new sports and therapy facilities for all the children and young adults at the school to enjoy.” Paul Hutchinson, Framework Director for R G Carter who are undertaking the building work added: “R G Carter is delighted to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with Cambridgeshire County Council and The Active Learning Trust on this much-needed development. “Our focus is on delivering this unique project and providing a quality teaching facility that will serve the local community for many years to come.” Mr Bainbridge was joined by representatives from Cambridgeshire County Council and constructors RG Carter to mark the occasion. The guests included: Simon Bywater, Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People Committee Councillor Lis Every, Cambridgeshire County Councillor for Ely North Paul Hutchinson, Framework Director for R G Carter Ben Garside, Client Manager for R G Carter Will Robinson, Project Manager for R G Carter
ceda SAFE is a health and safety accreditation available to any company working in the sector that achieve the necessary Health & Safety levels and covers both Design and Installation businesses. It has been devised as a result of discussions with the Health & Safety Executive who have highlighted a need to reduce bureaucracy and the cost of the various pre-qualification assessments, by establishing a single assessment standard for our Industry. It is the most efficient accreditation to attain in terms of the paperwork required and it is the most cost-effective scheme to achieve. Yet, crucially, it achieves the same level of core criteria as all of the other schemes that are in the marketplace at the moment. It requires the absolute necessary information but no more, so it is in no way diluted in order to make its’ attainment easy or cheap. If you are a company that offers Design and Installation services, you can achieve the ceda SAFE accreditation in order to promote your business as operating to the highest levels of independently verified Health & Safety, hitting all of the core criteria as required by the HSE If you sub-contract elements of the project installation, you can assess your sub-contractors by insisting that they have ceda SAFE accreditation. If you are a supplier or manufacturer of equipment that use sub-contractors for installation and maintenance, you can assess those sub-contractors by insisting they have ceda SAFE accreditation. So, there is no need to create your own assessment documents to send out to your entire supply-chain to then verify and administer. If you are a sub-contractor company then you should not need to complete form after form for company after company that you want to work with. If you already hold any of the following certifications – CHAS, Exor, SMAS, NHBC Safemark, Altius, Eurosafe, APS, Alcumus, Safe-T-Cert, MSL Safepartner, Greenlight, CQMS, HSAS, Acclaim, Avetta, ARB, FASET, PASS, PQS, NASC, IPAF, Achilles or ACDC – then you are required to complete a form giving your company details and submit along with your valid certificate and supporting documents and pay a fee of £120 plus VAT annually. If you do not already hold any of these certifications then you are required to complete a 28 page document and submit along with the necessary supporting documentation, pay a fee of £250 plus VAT in the first year and then £150 annually thereafter. Commenting on the new initiative ceda Director General Adam Mason said: “I’m delighted to bring this initiative to the Industry after several months of development work. It will save companies time, money and enable them to promote themselves as attaining a credible accreditation having been independently assessed by an expert, independent third-party. ceda SAFE will add further value to Members, Partners and the wider Industry.”
Congrid, the Finnish construction quality and safety software company, announced its expansion into the UK and the appointment of Daniel Hunt as UK territory manager. The Congrid mobile app introduces new levels of transparency and communication for safety and quality on construction projects and helps deliver zero-defect buildings to clients. Already the market leader in Finland, with 60% annual revenue growth and all of the country’s major construction firms using its platform, including WSP, YIT, NCC, and PEAB, Congrid is now targeting the UK. Congrid’s cloud-based app is aimed at project managers and quality managers at construction companies involved in various projects, including housing, offices, hospitals and schools. Designed to reduce the industry’s reliance on manual, paper-based workflows by digitising on-site project management and documentation, workers use the Finnish app on smartphones or tablets, to manage safety and quality inspections, document defects and faults and monitor the progress of each work stage in real time, all in the same app. This approach enables construction companies to involve their contractor network in the quality assurance and safety management process without any additional costs. Everything is recorded using detailed site plans allowing for the accurate resolution of any issues and subsequent monitoring to ensure all faults are fixed. Benefits include increased transparency and better communication between construction companies and their contractors, improved safety levels, reduced quality costs, zero-defect property deliveries and more efficient ways of working on site. The data collected allows detailed monitoring and reporting on any issues in need of attention. Future product developments include new data visualisation tools to expand what users can learn from their quality and safety data. “We aim to bring our expertise and knowledge to the UK market and introduce new, smarter ways of working relating to safety and quality in construction. Our approach offers the UK construction industry a better understanding of what has been built and how,” explained Timo Makkonen, CEO of Congrid. “The entire industry needs to change its mindset towards quality – quality is everyone’s business. Our software enables all stakeholders involved to participate and take responsibility for quality and safety. What we’ve experienced is that quality has become far more of a priority and users are looking for peace of mind, to better manage how a building is built and have a record to demonstrate this.” Congrid’s first UK appointment sees Daniel Hunt become UK territory manager, responsible for spearheading customer acquisition and hiring further staff in 2019. Already established in Finland and Sweden, the UK is the first country the Finnish company is moving into outside of the Nordic region.