UBS AM complete lettings totaling more than 60,500 sq ft at new urban logistics industrial park A duo of lettings totaling more than 60,500 sq ft have been completed at Velocity Point, the UBS AM Real Estate & Private Markets (UBS AM REPM) funded logistics park in Leeds. The latest
Celebrations are underway at the GSSArchitecture Newcastle Studio, as Dan Jones has been promoted to Associate. Dan joined GSS in 2022 as a Senior Architect and has since overseen the delivery of numerous projects, including the retrofit and upgrade of the Grade II listed King George VI Building for Newcastle
Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy: “This news is definitely a positive sign, but it’s another thing altogether to actually get something in place. Whilst this is a strong signal of intent from Starmer, we shouldn’t get too excited until we see a final deal agreed.” “Hardware and manufacturing businesses
Ashleigh Corbett joins the Scotland team to drive ambitious growth plans Global real estate advisor CBRE has strengthened its Scotland advisory team with the appointment of Ashleigh Corbett as Head of Flex, a unique role in the Scottish property market. Ashleigh brings a wealth of experience, having spent the last
Using waste clay and brick in cement production could reduce the material’s embodied carbon by up to 30 per cent and boost UK construction’s circular economy, according to a new report. A two-year study led by the Mineral Products Association (MPA) with funding from Innovate UK has demonstrated that UK
Construction firm Legendre UK has been appointed by developer W.RE and joint venture partner Taurus UK to lead the development of a new 46,000 sq ft high-quality office scheme at 14-16 Peterborough Road in London’s Parsons Green following a single-stage tender. Designed by TateHindle architects, the proposed sustainable commercial office
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has begun speculatively developing a 200,000 sq ft logistics park in Crawley as part of its mid-box logistics development dive in the South East. Panattoni Park Crawley comprises two units of 134,012 sq ft and 65,660 sq ft,
Contractor Henry Brothers Construction and Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust have jointly held a turf-cutting ceremony to mark the start of work getting under way on site for a new Belper health centre. The event marks a key stage in the development of the new £15m hub for
Manchester City Council and the Government Property Agency (GPA) have opened a joint consultation around emerging plans for the former retail site. Open from Tuesday 27 August the consultation will gather feedback from local residents, businesses and other stakeholders that will help guide proposals to create a new government digital
Written by Charlie Brain, Senior Consultant, Water Hygiene Centre Commercial Offices in the UK have experienced an interesting life since the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The usage of these types of buildings has perhaps changed from the typical 9-5 way of life, therefore the way they are managed
UBS AM complete lettings totaling more than 60,500 sq ft at new urban logistics industrial park A duo of lettings totaling more than 60,500 sq ft have been completed at Velocity Point, the UBS AM Real Estate & Private Markets (UBS AM REPM) funded logistics park in Leeds. The latest deals follow a flurry of lettings at the urban logistics industrial development with occupiers signing up to 7 of the 9 specialist units since PC just 7 months ago. Garolla, the UK’s #1 recommended garage door company, has taken Unit 9, totaling 33,500 sq ft over ground and first floor. The company, which supplies and installs made-to-measure electric garage doors nationally, has acquired the site as part of its growth plans as it expands in the garage door market and adjacent categories. Avison Young advised Garolla on the acquisition. Total Hardware, a leading window and door hardware supplier, has agreed terms on Unit 6 totaling 27,000 sq ft over ground and first floor. The company is moving to Velocity Point to facilitate its business expansion into larger, more practical, modern premises. The company supplies a comprehensive range of market-leading hardware products to the trade. Velocity Point is a Grade A, speculatively built Industrial Park set across 13 acres and offers nine units across five buildings from 3,500 sq ft to 108,500 sq ft. The development is strategically located with direct links to Leeds City Centre, the UK motorway network and is set within a globally-recognised region for advanced manufacturing, R&D and academia. CBRE, Carter Towler and Savills are joint marketing agents for Velocity Point. Jonny Ufton, Investment Manager, UBS AM REPM, commented: “Velocity Point, which is set against the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, offers occupiers a high quality working environment with vast green spaces and has been designed to promote a positive work life balance by putting people at its heart. The development is built to the highest standard with future-thinking design firmly focused on sustainability, with renewable and environmentally responsible features being integral to the scheme. It’s a real draw for businesses of all sizes from those looking to integrate their operations into national and international supply chains to companies seeking strong links to academia excellence and places occupiers in a prime position for growth.” Dani Raunjak, Associate Director at CBRE Leeds, said; “The deals secured on seven out of nine units within a few months of completion at Velocity Point demonstrates the appeal of well positioned, quality stock in a supply constrained Northern logistics market. Carter Towler, Savills and our team have received considerable interest in the remaining units and look forward to achieving full occupation soon.” According to Rob Oliver, Principal at Avison Young, who advised Garolla on their search and acquisition; “We have undertaken several acquisitions across Yorkshire in recent months, with a number of further projects ongoing. We were delighted to work with Garolla on this matter, undertaking a thorough review and consideration of their options, and then securing a lease on this high quality new unit at Velocity Point. Availability of quality units across the region ready for immediate occupation is getting challenging, given the limited amount of current development. It is particularly pleasing to support a manufacturing business looking to upgrade and expand their operation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Celebrations are underway at the GSSArchitecture Newcastle Studio, as Dan Jones has been promoted to Associate. Dan joined GSS in 2022 as a Senior Architect and has since overseen the delivery of numerous projects, including the retrofit and upgrade of the Grade II listed King George VI Building for Newcastle University, and several refurbishment projects for the Inn Collection Group up and down the country. Over the past two years, Dan has built upon his considerable experience and portfolio within the region and beyond, contributing significantly to heritage assets within the Durham peninsula for Durham University and offering conservation support to the wider team. With over 11 years of experience in the construction industry, Dan leads on complex and interesting projects across the North East and is starting to cover a more national heritage and conservation role within the practice. He takes a special interest in this sector and has recently submitted his portfolio to become an AABC accredited Conservation Architect, aiming to lead more actively on GSS’s heritage and conservation offerings to support our clients. As Associate, Dan will continue to take the lead on projects across the region, contribute to business development to drive continuous improvement, and mentor other team members. Dan comments, “I am thrilled to step into this new role, especially as it allows me to further expand our heritage and conservation portfolio on a national scale. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our talented team to deliver exceptional projects and to contribute to the ongoing success of GSSArchitecture.” Simon Rennison-Rae, Partner at GSS and Newcastle Studio lead, said, “It’s fantastic to recognise Dan’s growth within the team, his depth of knowledge, the way he collaborates with clients and his role within our Newcastle studio has gone from strength to strength also allowing those around him to develop with his support. Dan will continue to assist our national practice as well as strengthening the opportunities and client focus in the North East as we continue to grow in the region – well done Dan!” GSS have an impressive history within the UK and have always invested in their team members. As an Investors in People Gold Accredited practice, GSS have a track-record of ensuring they have great designers and professionals in the construction industry to allow them to provide a fantastic service to their clients in the North East and across the country. To find out more about GSSArchitecture, their extensive range of projects in the North East and across the country, or to find out about career opportunities, please visit www.gssarchitecture.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Christophe Williams, CEO of Naked Energy: “This news is definitely a positive sign, but it’s another thing altogether to actually get something in place. Whilst this is a strong signal of intent from Starmer, we shouldn’t get too excited until we see a final deal agreed.” “Hardware and manufacturing businesses like us were deeply affected by Brexit. Our solar thermal technology is designed in Britain, but the main manufacturing hub is in Italy and over 90% of our materials come from the continent. “Brexit generated a lot more friction in getting goods in and out of the country. Given we’re an internationally-focused business with customers in Germany, and considering a German office, this has been a major challenge. “The dream result of this partnership would be more regulatory alignment with Germany and the EU. This will make it much easier to get access to facilities, secure soft funding and buy the necessary equipment to accelerate our rollout. “Regulatory alignment will help us develop more projects that rely on British manufacturing. We’ve just signed a deal with E.ON, the German utility company, and getting the UK and Germany on the same page will allow us to deliver our tech at scale. This will create British jobs and domestic growth while also helping to accelerate net zero. “It will also help with European domestic security. Energy prices are set to increase by 10% here in the UK, and energy independence is a must going forward. If we can increase European cooperation when it comes to renewable energy, we’ll boost the continent’s security as well as its economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ashleigh Corbett joins the Scotland team to drive ambitious growth plans Global real estate advisor CBRE has strengthened its Scotland advisory team with the appointment of Ashleigh Corbett as Head of Flex, a unique role in the Scottish property market. Ashleigh brings a wealth of experience, having spent the last decade working in sales and operations roles for flex space operators across Scotland including Flexspace, IWG, and more recently Orega. At Orega, Ashleigh spent six years as Regional Sales Manager where she gained unparalleled insights from an operator’s perspective that will complement CBRE’s existing office advisory services. Ashleigh’s appointment underlines CBRE’s commitment to the sector, bolstering the existing team led by CBRE’s UK Head of Flexible Office Solutions, Michael Glynn, Jordan Saleh, Head of Flex, North, and Daniel White, Head of Flex, Midlands and South. The strategic appointment responds to the growing demand for flexible office space from occupiers, landlords and operators who seek to grow their footprint in Scotland. The current provision of flexible office space in Scotland is behind availability in competitor cities, despite strong levels of demand. In Aberdeen, 1.7% of available office space is flex, with Glasgow offering 1.1% and Edinburgh 2.54%. This is low compared to Birmingham (4.5%), Manchester (6%) and London (12.5%). Ashleigh will be responsible for securing space for new occupiers, advising operators on growth opportunities, supporting landlords on the diversification of existing office space and managing turnkey solutions, which is a bespoke service now offered by CBRE. Ashleigh said: “Joining CBRE at an exciting period of growth, I’m really looking forward to expanding our flex advisory services in Scotland. The demand for flex space has undoubtedly surged over the past five years, and the Scottish market presents an exceptional opportunity to broaden and enhance its offerings. “Having spent the last 10 years working with operators, I bring a unique insight that will diversify our approach in the flex market and position us as the best-placed advisory team in Scotland. Since joining, I’ve been out meeting clients as well as people within my existing network and there is a genuine excitement about the flex opportunity in Scotland.” Matt Willcock, Executive Director at CBRE, said: “We’re excited to welcome Ashleigh who brings a depth of insight and knowledge around flex, importantly from an operator’s perspective. As Head of Flex, Ashleigh will play an integral role in the future of flex space in Scotland, which is undoubtedly going to accelerate. “We have created an exclusive proposition in the market that will benefit our clients, whether that’s landlords, occupiers or operators. We already offer such services in Manchester, Birmingham and London and we’re proud to be the first advisor to do so in Scotland. “Around 50% of occupiers seeking new space in key Scottish cities are considering flex opportunities. Traditionally, smaller businesses sought flex space, however we are now seeing larger firms, including a significant number of our own corporate clients, also consider flexible office space.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Using waste clay and brick in cement production could reduce the material’s embodied carbon by up to 30 per cent and boost UK construction’s circular economy, according to a new report. A two-year study led by the Mineral Products Association (MPA) with funding from Innovate UK has demonstrated that UK reclaimed clays and finely ground brick powder can be used as calcined clays in cement and concrete manufacturing to deliver lower emissions compared to the market-leading CEM I cement. The findings also confirmed that calcined clays from these sources have the potential to divert 1.4 million tonnes of material from potential waste streams if the materials were adopted by the UK construction industry. Clay is a naturally abundant material in the UK and can offer an alternative to industrial by-products such as ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) and fly-ash which have been traditionally used to lower the embodied carbon of cement. UK production of both materials is reducing as the power and steel industries decarbonise. In other parts of the world, calcined clays are used as a secondary cementitious material but until now they have not been officially tested in the UK. Two heating methods were trialled to prepare the clay for use in cement and concrete: commonly used rotary kilns, and the more innovative ‘flash heating’. Both methods have been shown to produce high-quality calcined clays, and with no significant difference between techniques. The project has been supported by Heidelberg Materials UK, Tarmac, Imerys Minerals Ltd, Forterra, University College London and University of Dundee. Dr Diana Casey, Executive Director, energy and climate change at the MPA said: “Using brick waste and reclaimed clays will not only lower carbon and reduce waste but has the potential to create a whole new market if these clays become widely used in the construction industry, helping to retain economic value in the UK, secure jobs and attract investment.” The development of low carbon cements and concretes represent one of seven key levers in MPA UK Concrete’s Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero. The roadmap sets out the UK concrete and cement industry’s own commitments to delivering net zero and builds on its decarbonising the industry by 53 per cent since 1990. Read the full report on the MPA website https://cement.mineralproducts.org/Innovation/Reclaimed-calcined-clay-cements.aspx Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction firm Legendre UK has been appointed by developer W.RE and joint venture partner Taurus UK to lead the development of a new 46,000 sq ft high-quality office scheme at 14-16 Peterborough Road in London’s Parsons Green following a single-stage tender. Designed by TateHindle architects, the proposed sustainable commercial office development will feature six floors of flexible office and amenity space, spanning from the basement to the fourth floor. The building will include accessible roof terraces on the third and fourth floors, with planting across levels two to four. Fitted out to CAT A specification, the new building will emphasise sustainability with a robust, independent energy strategy, including air source heat pumps, PV panels, and abundant natural light. The site will be delivered in line with W.RE’s commitment to sustainability through design, ensuring that the building is built to last and equipped to meet future demands. These high sustainability criteria are aligned with the growing tenant demand for high-quality office spaces. The project will involve the demolition of the existing office block on site, with the new development retaining the existing party walls and targeting BREEAM Excellent. Situated in the heart of Parsons Green, the building offers Southwest London residents high-quality, well-connected office space, catering to the growing demand for workspaces within walking distance of home and local amenities. The site is in a prime location, with easy access to New King’s Road and Parsons Green, including green spaces, leisure and retail facilities, and transport links to Central London. Legendre UK will act as the main contractor on the scheme and will also be a co-investor with works starting on site in August this year. Completion is scheduled for Q3 2026. Andrew Haines, COO of W.RE, said: “This investment will transform a prominent site in Parsons Green, providing much-needed high-quality office space in a sought-after Southwest London location. Partnering with Legendre UK we will deliver a best-in-class, sustainable building that meets the growing demand for workspace outside of central London’s historic core.” Nick Jacobs, Managing Director of Taurus UK, said: “We are really pleased to be committing our investment to great partners to create a relevant and much-needed development.” Thomas Vandecasteele, Managing Director at Legendre UK, said: “This appointment builds on Legendre UK’s expertise in delivering complex commercial schemes across London, continuing to strengthen our co-investment strategy alongside key and trusted partners, which we started in 2021 on Dockley Road and continued in 2022 on Sheepcote Road. Acting as both contractor and co-investor demonstrates the added value that Legendre UK can bring.” Tanguy Guerer, Head of Pre-Construction at Legendre UK, said: “We are delighted at the opportunity to work with W.RE, following a competitive single stage tender. Our proposed value engineering included in our tender were well received by W.RE, allowing us to maximise cost efficiency on the project whilst still ensuring a high-quality outcome.” Elliott Wood has been appointed as the Structural Engineer, Exigere as the Quantity Surveyor and B&CO as the Project Manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has begun speculatively developing a 200,000 sq ft logistics park in Crawley as part of its mid-box logistics development dive in the South East. Panattoni Park Crawley comprises two units of 134,012 sq ft and 65,660 sq ft, which could be combined into one and will be built to a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’. Both units will incorporate enhanced sustainability measures, including roof-mounted solar panels, rainwater harvesting, electric vehicle charging points and 15% roof lights to give a high level of natural daylight. Panattoni Park Crawley is in an established last mile and distribution location on Fleming Way in the industrial area of Manor Royal Business District, close to Gatwick Airport and junction 10 of the M23. It will provide direct access to the affluent consumer markets of London and the south east. Occupiers at Manor Royal include Amazon, DPD, Hermes, Parcelforce, Royal Mail, UPS, Yodel, Ocado and Tesco. Panattoni Park Crawley is the fifth current mid-box development for Panattoni in the south east, joining Poyle (80,000 sq ft), Burgess Hill (452,469 sq ft), Brighton (268,063 sq ft) and Basingstoke (117,050 sq ft). David McGougan, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “This development is in line with our strategy to speculatively develop in undersupplied markets, and Crawley provides occupiers with an excellent base to service London and south east markets. “The outlook for the mid-box market is positive, with good levels of occupier interest, driven by their flight to quality and the desire to move out of older redundant stock and into modern and efficient space”. Agents at Panattoni Park Crawley are JLL, Savills and Hollis Hockley. For more information on Panattoni Park Crawley please visit: https://panattoni.co.uk/our-properties/crawley/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Henry Brothers Construction and Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust have jointly held a turf-cutting ceremony to mark the start of work getting under way on site for a new Belper health centre. The event marks a key stage in the development of the new £15m hub for community health services in the Derbyshire town. It was attended by representatives from Henry Brothers and the Trust, including Trust chief executive Tracy Allen, who carried out the honours. She said: “Back in 2017 we first started talking publicly about the need for new community health facilities for Belper and it’s been a long and eventful seven years to reach this point, involving several changes of plan and a pandemic which put everything on hold. So, to be able to put the first ceremonial spade in the ground to start construction is a really fantastic moment. It’s a tribute to the many people who have helped us reach this point. I can’t wait to see the architect’s plans come off the page as the building takes shape and becomes a purpose-designed environment for local people to receive a range of community health services for years to come.” The modern facilities – designed to have high environmental credentials to ensure long-term sustainability – are being built on the site of the former Belper Clinic, as part of the Babington Hospital site on Derby Road, Belper. Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust recently commissioned Midlands-based contractor Henry Brothers to deliver the new building over a planned construction phase of 66 weeks. It is being delivered through the Pagabo Major Works Framework. John Sowter, design and planning director at Henry Brothers Construction, said: “We are very pleased to have started work on site, marking a key milestone in the mission to provide new, state-of-the-art community health services in Belper. “It was an honour to host members of the Trust who have been pivotal in developing this scheme to an official turf-cutting ceremony and we are looking forward to delivering these new NHS facilities for the community of Belper.” The new health centre will include environmentally sustainable features such as photo-voltaic panels on the roof to harness the power of the sun, with pledges to use local and recycled material from demolished buildings in the build where possible, along with timber from certified sources. It is being built to BREEAM excellent standards to ensure long-term sustainability. The health hub will feature 15 consulting rooms, six treatment rooms, a health education group room and other facilities, and will provide a range of services including community nursing, midwifery clinics, podiatry services, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, continence advisory service, wound care and phlebotomy. Designed by architects Race Cottam Associates, it will accommodate all existing outpatient and clinical services provided at Babington Hospital. Other members of the construction team alongside Henry Brothers include project manager Capita, civil and structural engineer Eastwood Consulting Engineers, and mechanical and electrical engineers EP Consulting. Henry Brothers Construction, based in Nottingham, is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. In partnership with clients, it has a proven track record in education, defence, accommodation, commercial, industrial, transport and healthcare sectors. For more information, visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council and the Government Property Agency (GPA) have opened a joint consultation around emerging plans for the former retail site. Open from Tuesday 27 August the consultation will gather feedback from local residents, businesses and other stakeholders that will help guide proposals to create a new government digital campus – delivered by the GPA – and a new city centre park space, delivered by the council. The council agreed an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the land in March 2023 that set out the high-level development principles for the site: to create low carbon commercial office space and high-quality, accessible green space to support continued economic growth in this part of Manchester’s city centre. New Manchester Digital Campus The Government Property Agency (GPA) exchanged contracts to acquire five acres of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats from the city council in May this year with a view to constructing a state-of-the-art government digital campus. This new office complex in the city will bring together a number of Civil Service departments with a focus around digital skills. Once complete, the campus will be home to around 7,000 civil servants, creating significant opportunities for employment and wider economic development. New City Centre Park The new park space is being designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE and will help meet the need for quality, attractive green space in the city centre – which will also open up access to the existing Cotton Field Park and Ancoats Marina. The site will accommodate new walking routes, helping to link to other city centre active travel investment in Ancoats, Northern Quarter and out towards the Etihad Campus. Detailed design work will continue following consultation to deliver a park space comparable in size to Ancoats Green, which is also currently undergoing redevelopment works. To note – Development across the rest of the site will be brought forward as a later development phase. More information will be made available in due course. Take part in the public consultation – Tuesday, September 10 Local people and businesses can provide feedback online or at two in-person public consultation events at Halle St Peter’s, 40 Blossom Street, Ancoats, M4 6BF. Find out more about the proposals and feedback online: www.fcrp-manchester.co.uk Session One: 12pm to 2.30pm Session Two: 5pm to 7pm Anyone with accessibility needs – or no access to the internet – can call 0808 175 3408 The consultation will end on September 23, 2024, following which the proposals will be finalised and separate planning applications submitted later this year. Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We are beginning to see the potential of this site unlocked and the plans being developed by the council and the GPA meet the ambitions we have for this important site – including a new city centre park and digital campus that will be home to 7,000 civil servant jobs. “The new park will help meet demand for high-quality green space in the city centre and will complement other green investment – including Ancoats Green – in this neighbourhood. “As ever, consultation is the opportunity for our residents to give us feedback on the emerging proposals and help guide this investment that will benefit Mancunians for years to come.” Mark Bourgeois, Interim CEO at the GPA, said: “We are pleased to be working collaboratively with Manchester City Council on these plans to regenerate this important area of Manchester and we look forward to the input from city residents and businesses to help us deliver the optimum proposal. “The GPA is also proud to be creating fantastic and sustainable workplaces to support the transformation of the Civil Service, and we are committed to growing its presence in Manchester, drawing on and helping to grow the city’s pool of talent. “This proposed development, builds on the work the Council and the GPA undertook last year in putting in place an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework, and the shared ambition to regenerate the Ancoats former retail site, creating employment and wider business opportunities, supported by the digital campus.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Written by Charlie Brain, Senior Consultant, Water Hygiene Centre Commercial Offices in the UK have experienced an interesting life since the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The usage of these types of buildings has perhaps changed from the typical 9-5 way of life, therefore the way they are managed may also need to change. This blog explores the risks that water poses in these types of buildings and in particular the risk of Legionella bacteria. What is Legionella? Legionella bacteria are common in natural water sources such as rivers and lakes, they may also be found in purpose-built water systems, such as hot and cold water systems in a commercial office building. It is these types of “man-made” water systems that pose the greater risk to humans, as the conditions for Legionella proliferation and exposure are increased. Commercial offices are those buildings used by differing types of businesses as a place of work. Standard office spaces are commonly divided into workspaces, kitchens, restrooms, and service rooms such as cleaners’ cupboards and plant rooms. What are the requirements to reduce Legionella Risk? All commercial building operators in the UK have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) which extends to risks from Legionella bacteria, that may arise from work activities. As the duty holder in control of a commercial office, you must; Who is Responsible? Whether you are the landlord/owner or tenant, the actions above must be undertaken, but like many commercial offices, these tasks may be undertaken by different parties. Unless a “fully maintained” lease is in place it is ultimately the responsibility of the landlord or owners to manage the building, this includes the water systems and other Health and Safety risks (including Legionella). If you are a tenant of a building (without a fully maintained lease) and are responsible for your employee’s health and safety, it would be advisable to seek evidence of compliance from your landlord. In some cases, fully maintained leases exist between landlords and tenants, that transfer responsibility from the landlord to the tenant for some or all the required tasks. In some cases, the tenant may feel they require more control over health and safety matters and undertake the tasks listed above themselves. Whatever arrangement is in place, records of work carried out to manage Legionella need to be kept up to date and readily available for inspection. Types of Water Systems Commercial office buildings range in size and complexity. It is fair to say, that the larger and more complicated a building and the water system is, the greater risk of Legionella is presented, which in turn, requires more elaborate control methods. The types of water systems found at commercial office buildings include; Each water or risk system requires a Legionella risk assessment and a resulting control scheme established. A control scheme will include monitoring, inspection, cleaning, and disinfection frequencies, so the more complex a water system is, the more controls it usually requires. Water System Usage One of the more topical issues regarding Legionella in commercial office buildings is water system usage. These types of buildings have experienced different levels of use since COVID-19, ranging from complete shutdown to reduced staffing levels and hybrid working styles. This impacts the water system as less water is being used daily, thus creating reduced flow, stagnation, and possible biofilm problems. The Legionella Control Association has reported that lockdowns have increased the rate of positive Legionella sample results. So, if your building has seen a different level of use, has the Legionella risk assessment been reviewed? Has the amount of stored water been assessed? Have different control measures been implemented? Other Considerations Scalding – Has a scalding risk assessment been carried out? Unnecessary installations of thermostatic mixing valves (TMV’s), especially in staff areas, can increase the risk of Legionella colonisation due to their complexity and maintenance requirements. The scalding protection should be applicable to the risk. Hot water boilers – Having replaced the traditional kettle, these installations can affect how much the sink taps are used. If drinking water dispensers are also used, is the sink cold tap being used at all? If a dishwasher is present, what are you using the hot tap for? The use of all outlets requires regular review. Drinking water dispensers – as mentioned above, these have replaced the humble cold-water tap, decreasing their use. If desired, mains-fed units are preferred to bottle-fed types, due to the quality of water supply, maintenance, and cleaning practicalities. If installed, mains-fed units should be sited as close as possible to a regularly used outlet to assist turnover. As with any commercial premises and health and safety matters, the starting point is always risk assessments. This will inform the landlord or building owner of any gaps in Legionella and water hygiene management and help form a plan to actively manage any Legionella risks identified. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
