HOT on the heels of the COP26 summit, national construction company Willmott Dixon is partnering with Building Brum to host “Net Zero Carbon: What’s Stopping Us?” on 16 November at The Grand Hotel, Birmingham. Britain’s ‘second city’ will welcome built environment sector leaders from across the country, as they outline the region’s
The latest research from Warwick Estates reveals where Britain’s most profitable new-build markets are and, therefore, where developers are best focussing their attention. Warwick Estates looked at the average cost of constructing a new-build home per square foot across seven major British cities, including the cost of materials, labour, first
Richard Blyth, Head of Policy at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), said: “This Select Committee report offers a comprehensive analysis of the role of local authorities in reaching net zero. “We are delighted to have given evidence for this report based on our ground breaking research on net zero
Hiring an attorney can be a complicated and confusing process. There are many different attorneys to choose from, and deciding who is right for you can be difficult. To help you make the best decision possible, we have compiled a list of five questions that any good personal injury lawyer
WORK has officially started on a six-storey high-quality student accommodation facility, in the heart of Leicester’s city centre. The Marble Street development, which was granted planning permission in February, will feature 61 rooms – a mix of shared and studio rooms – as well as a new student social hub,
‘Addition’ was established to create and sell high quality, sustainable homes in Lambeth which, in turn, will provide funding for more affordable homes in Lambeth. Beam is launched as the second residential development to be unveiled by Addition. Beam is part of Homes for Lambeth’s small sites programme and is
Virtual 360 degree exhibition launched ahead of COP26 to profile measures HS2 is taking to cut carbon: https://360.hs2.org.uk/interchange Online tour with 30 interactive features, five new videos on HS2’s environmental innovations and 25 images of Interchange Station People can sign up for three HS2 webinars during COP26: https://www.hs2.org.uk/cop26/ In the
Architects are increasingly specifying industrial protection equipment for warehouses and distribution centres. Paul Roehricht of Brandsafe provides guidance on best practice. Distribution and logistics are dynamic sectors that’s forecast to be worth over $325 billion by the end of 2024. In the UK alone, one leading commercial property group* reports
Mobile Mini UK, one of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and secure storage containers, has continued its innovative approach to safety by implementing a brand-new automatic shut-off feature as standard across its latest fleet of transportation vehicles. The feature relates directly to crane operations and by utilising enhanced
As our buildings become ever more complex, the importance of using only approved products which meets the latest regulations for fire safety cannot be emphasised enough. Here, Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, explains the significance of a new Code of Practice for Category 3 fire performance cables. As
HOT on the heels of the COP26 summit, national construction company Willmott Dixon is partnering with Building Brum to host “Net Zero Carbon: What’s Stopping Us?” on 16 November at The Grand Hotel, Birmingham. Britain’s ‘second city’ will welcome built environment sector leaders from across the country, as they outline the region’s low carbon ambitions and debate its strategy in a live panel and Q&A session. Julia Barrett is Willmott Dixon’s chief sustainability officer and director of the Aldersgate Group, a business, politics and civil society leadership alliance that drives action for a sustainable economy. Julia will draw on the progress made at the COP26 summit, which runs until 12 November, during the panel debate. Providing unique insight and valuable experience, the guest panelists include Deborah Cadman OBE, chief executive of Birmingham City Council, Belinda Morgan, partner at Cundall, Tim Carey, chief product director at Collida, and Chris Clarke, director of performance and improvement at Scape. Nick Gibb, the deputy managing director of Willmott Dixon, who will be opening the event, said it will be a pleasure to be working alongside Building Brum, the city’s largest industry networking platform: “We are looking forward to hosting this event, which will make clear the region’s incredible efforts to support the Government’s ambition for net zero carbon by 2050. “The built environment sector plays a huge part in the country’s ability to reach this target, and the public and private sector must come together to make the changes we need to see. This event provides a valuable opportunity for growth – addressing topics such as technology, innovation, strategy, practical implications and changing mindsets.” The event will ask panelists to consider the challenges we face in meeting the ambitious targets as well as discuss the role their respective organisations are playing in delivering change. Conor Nolan, programme director of Building Brum, added: “Building Brum is committed to providing educational events and unique networking opportunities that connect industry specialists – sharing commercial approaches, learnings, challenges and solutions. “The event will deliver a strong environmental message. Birmingham is committed to playing its part in the national zero carbon agenda and welcomes fresh ideas and perspectives to accelerate change.” The event will take place in The Grand Hotel Ballroom between 5.30pm and 9pm. If you would like further details ahead of the event, please contact Conor Nolan – conor@curzon-consultants.co.uk or Louise Roden – louise.roden@willmottdixon.co.uk
The latest research from Warwick Estates reveals where Britain’s most profitable new-build markets are and, therefore, where developers are best focussing their attention. Warwick Estates looked at the average cost of constructing a new-build home per square foot across seven major British cities, including the cost of materials, labour, first and second fix costs, a contractor’s margin of 2.5% and preliminary costs of 15%. Warwick Estates then looked at the total cost of constructing a new home based on the average size in each city comparing it to the market value of a new-build in the current market. The research shows that on average across these major cities, it costs £139,238 to build a new home, while the average market value is currently £320,515. This is a positive difference of 130%, for developers. The most profitable market for new-build homes analysed by Warwick Estates is Edinburgh. It costs an estimated £126,400 to construct a new-build home in the Scottish capital while the average sale price is £375,870 – a 197% profit margin for developers. London ranks second, with an estimated construction cost of £181,700, while the average new-build home sells for £533,642. A 194% profit margin for developers. The third most profitable new-build market was Bristol (137%), followed by Leeds (133%), Birmingham (107%), Newcastle (101%) and Manchester (85%). Glasgow ranked bottom of the table, although, with an average construction cost of £139,238 and an average new-build value of £320,525, the city is still home to a 68% profit margin. Table shows most British cities that have the largest difference between average new-build construction costs and average new-build house price, listed from largest % difference to smalles Location Construction cost (sq ft) Property Size (sq ft) Construction cost New-build house price Profit margin (£) Profit margin (%) Edinburgh £160 790 £126,400 £375,870 £249,470 197% London £230 790 £181,700 £533,642 £351,942 194% Bristol £180 790 £142,200 £337,062 £194,862 137% Leeds £160 790 £126,400 £294,384 £167,984 133% Birmingham £170 790 £134,300 £278,074 £143,774 107% Newcastle £170 790 £134,300 £270,117 £135,817 101% Manchester £170 790 £134,300 £248,997 £114,697 85% Glasgow £170 790 £134,300 £225,973 £91,673 68% Average £176 790 £139,238 £320,515 £181,277 130% Sources – Est. Construction Cost – Propertydata, Average new-build house price: UK HPI
Richard Blyth, Head of Policy at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), said: “This Select Committee report offers a comprehensive analysis of the role of local authorities in reaching net zero. “We are delighted to have given evidence for this report based on our ground breaking research on net zero and that the committee has taken this on board. The Select Committee notes our call for a dedicated fund of £67m so that each planning authority can have a full-time planner dedicated to climate change. “The planning system is well-placed to lead the way to net zero as it can be the platform from which low emission, placed-based communities are formed. Our latest report Urban Planning After Covid-19 explains the ways in which planning is crucial to a low carbon future.”
Hiring an attorney can be a complicated and confusing process. There are many different attorneys to choose from, and deciding who is right for you can be difficult. To help you make the best decision possible, we have compiled a list of five questions that any good personal injury lawyer should be able to answer: 1. What is your experience with this type of case (injuries, damages)? Professional personal injury lawyers will have a detailed list of cases that they have successfully handled in the past. You can also ask for their professional background and then research this information further on your own if you are unsure about it. Tips: – Make sure to look at any case results before deciding which attorney is best for you. 2. How much will it cost me to hire you for my injury case? Make sure that your attorney is upfront about these potential fees, and decide if you are comfortable with them before hiring an attorney. Be cautious of attorneys who say they do not charge any upfront fees or require a retainer fee. Tips: – Sometimes, attorneys will have certain payment options that you can choose from, but they are harder to find. You might want to ask an attorney about their preferred payment method due to the high costs of retaining a lawyer for personal injury claims. 3. Are there any other attorneys I should talk to about my potential claim? Even if you do not hire another attorney, it is still good to talk with as many attorneys as possible. Each lawyer will have their unique advice and suggestions about your case, so the more information you can gather, the better prepared you’ll be for any future decisions or events in your injury lawsuit. Tips: – When talking to multiple lawyers about an incident like this, try to avoid legal jargon and speak plainly and honestly. You want all of these professionals to give you detailed answers without confusing words or phrases – the plainer they are, the better! 4. How long do these cases usually take from start to finish? You should ask your potential lawyers about the average amount of time they spend on cases like yours. It’s important to know how long you will need to wait before resolving a personal injury claim, as well as what steps are involved in reaching an acceptable settlement with the defendant or their insurance company. Tips: – You can also discuss which parts of your case (i.e., liability and damages) might take longer than others and who is currently doing those tasks for you now – this way, there won’t be any surprises later! 5. What are the chances of winning my injury lawsuit if I choose not to settle out of court? You should always ask a potential lawyer how likely you are to win your case if it goes to trial. Suppose the answer is that they cannot provide an accurate estimate. In that case, this might be a sign that the attorney does not have extensive experience with personal injury lawsuits or trials – and thus, their knowledge of your specific incident could also be limited! Tips: – If possible, find out what types of cases this type of professional has won in the past by asking for references from previous clients who had similar injuries/damages as yours. You can also read reviews about them online to see how other people feel about hiring these professionals before spending any money on legal advice/services! Bonus: Will you be able to provide all legal representation necessary during trial proceedings? Sometimes lawsuits can go to trial, and if this is the case with your injury claim, you must choose an attorney who has extensive experience in courtrooms. Tips: – This type of professional will usually have a very detailed list of past trials they’ve been involved in – so always ask about these specific cases! You should also look up which lawyers won or lost those cases online by checking out court records, news articles, etc. Having an attorney is the best thing you can do for your injury. What questions should you ask? Find out what to look for when hiring injury accident attorneys and read about how we believe in fighting for our clients! Thanks so much, and we hope that you’ve found the information useful.
WORK has officially started on a six-storey high-quality student accommodation facility, in the heart of Leicester’s city centre. The Marble Street development, which was granted planning permission in February, will feature 61 rooms – a mix of shared and studio rooms – as well as a new student social hub, which will create a vibrant front to the city. Designed by architecture firm CPMG Architects, and delivered by property developers Tang Developments and DAKO Construction, the new accommodation will sit next to the existing eight-storey iQ student block and will reflect the character and appearance of its surroundings with a bespoke and contemporary structure. Nick Gregory, director at CPMG Architects, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Tang Developments and DAKO to deliver and bring a much-needed scheme to the city of Leicester. “We’ve created a design that is both unique but also reflects the existing character of the wider environment and the street’s aesthetics. The scheme is located on previously developed land, which will help reduce the pressure of greenfield land for development and encourage residents to walk and cycle.” The building’s new social area will open directly onto Marble Street, with three studio rooms provided behind these – each with a double bed, private bathroom, kitchenette, and seating area, as well as individual gardens with views across the city. Twelve rooms will sit on the first, second, third and fourth floors, with communal kitchens, large social lounge areas – giving students a place to cook, relax and socialise. Kane Tang, managing director at Tang Developments, said: “As an established property developer in the East Midlands, we’re pleased to be part of this project to deliver 61 new student homes. The professional team at CPMG has submitted an outstanding design of the building, which will provide a mixture of rooms to bring a range of students to the area.” The project team also includes project manager Pulse, M+E consultant CPW and structural and civil engineer Dice. For more information about CPMG Architects, please visit: www.cpmg-architects.com/
‘Addition’ was established to create and sell high quality, sustainable homes in Lambeth which, in turn, will provide funding for more affordable homes in Lambeth. Beam is launched as the second residential development to be unveiled by Addition. Beam is part of Homes for Lambeth’s small sites programme and is located on the brownfield former Patmos Lodge site, near Kennington Park and Myatt’s Fields Park. Beam offers one and two bedroom apartments: there are 18 homes available for outright sale, plus a further six apartments available through Shared Ownership. Addition creates homes of high quality design, with materials, architectural styles, features and landscaping chosen to enhance the living experience of the homeowners while improving the surrounding area. Sustainability and future-proofing are at the heart of the scheme design, to meet Lambeth’s high environmental and energy standards and the council’s net-zero carbon targets. Jitinder Takhar, Chief Executive Officer for Homes for Lambeth says: “Our purpose is to provide high quality new homes that are greener and more environmentally sustainable. For every three homes that we sell through Addition, we will be able to provide two homes at affordable levels for families in our local community.” Stockwool, the architecture and urbanism practice with a strong track record in urban regeneration projects, has designed Beam’s four-storey apartment buildings to blend in with the variety of architectural styles and scales that surround them, using a simple palette of materials and buff-coloured brick facades. Beam has been designed as an energy efficient, sustainable scheme including a fabric first approach, air source heat pumps, solar panels, water and waste reduction measures and ecological enhancements, targeting 78.3% reduction in Regulated C02 emissions over Part L 2013. Landscaped communal gardens are the heart of Beam and offer a woodland garden, grass lawn, naturalistic planting and quiet seating areas for residents to enjoy. Cycle storage is also provided in cycle lockers with green planted roofs. The interiors are light-filled and well-proportioned, with floor to ceiling glazing in the living rooms and open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces. There are high quality fixtures and fittings throughout including underfloor heating and contemporary designer kitchens with stone worktops and Siemens appliances. Many of the apartments offer south-facing or dual aspect views to the outside and each apartment has a private balcony or terrace. Beam will be completed in the Spring of 2023. Beam’s completion will follow on from the first development being built, ‘Chapter by Addition’, which is scheduled to complete in Autumn 2022. Located on Hydethorpe Road, in Balham, Chapter will offer 12 apartments, comprising one and two-bedroom homes and a standout three-bedroom penthouse. Eight of the 12 apartments will be available to buy outright with four available to buy through Shared Ownership.
Virtual 360 degree exhibition launched ahead of COP26 to profile measures HS2 is taking to cut carbon: https://360.hs2.org.uk/interchange Online tour with 30 interactive features, five new videos on HS2’s environmental innovations and 25 images of Interchange Station People can sign up for three HS2 webinars during COP26: https://www.hs2.org.uk/cop26/ In the run-up to COP26, HS2 Ltd has launched a virtual tour of its eco-friendly Interchange Station to profile how the new high speed railway will help the UK tackle climate change. The 360 degree online tour hosts a virtual exhibition pavilion showcasing how HS2 is reducing carbon by using new technology to build one of the most sustainable railways of its kind in the world. People can step through the entrance of the station, walk through the concourse and ticket check-in area and onto the station platform, viewing videos and virtual exhibition areas on the way. Each area of the virtual station focuses on different environmental credentials of the project, including how HS2 will help to decarbonise the transport sector by providing a low carbon alternative for long distance travel, reducing the need for car and domestic plane journeys. It provides insights about how the project is using clean construction techniques, improving air quality, designing sustainable stations and creating a green corridor of connected habitats for wildlife and green spaces for people to enjoy along the route. The exhibits include videos which explain how innovation is playing a major role in the construction of the railway and how HS2 is working with its supply chain, industry and academic partners to reduce emissions through new low carbon technologies. Progress on creating new connected habitats for wildlife is brought to life with footage of new areas of tree planting, with insights from HS2’s environmental experts. Interchange Station in Solihull was chosen to host the exhibition because of its BREEAM Outstanding award, putting it in the top 1% of buildings in the UK for sustainability. The exhibition also features pop-up information and videos about the station’s sustainable design. HS2’s Director of Environment Peter Miller said: “This interactive exhibition provides a fantastic virtual tour through HS2’s many environmental innovations, as a showcase for the project during the UN Climate Change Conference – COP26. It clearly demonstrates how HS2 is playing an important role in delivering the Government’s commitment to bring all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK to net zero by 2050.” The exhibition has a custom interface developed by 3 Deep Media. It’s made up of seven panoramic 360-degree renders from a 3D model of the railway produced by HS2’s digital engineering and Building Information Management (BIM) teams, with 30 pop-up interactive features, 25 pictures of the new Interchange Station design and five new videos on how HS2 is tackling climate change. Visitors to the online exhibition can also register for HS2’s COP26 webinar series during the UN summit, covering cleaner construction, sustainable stations and building a railway resilient to climate change. These are open to anyone to attend, and recordings of the webinars featuring HS2 experts and external partners will be also available to view in the virtual exhibition afterwards. The webinars are: 4 Nov – Clean construction webinar: How HS2 is innovating to decarbonise construction and leave a legacy for the future of the industry. 9 Nov – Resilient, reliable railway webinar: How the adaptation and resilience measures on HS2 will minimise delays and make sure the project is ready for a changing climate. 11 Nov – Sustainable stations webinar: Why HS2’s stations are environmentally world class and how they will become hubs for other forms of sustainable travel.
Architects are increasingly specifying industrial protection equipment for warehouses and distribution centres. Paul Roehricht of Brandsafe provides guidance on best practice. Distribution and logistics are dynamic sectors that’s forecast to be worth over $325 billion by the end of 2024. In the UK alone, one leading commercial property group* reports that investment in UK industrial and logistics totalled a record £6bn in H1 2021, more than double the £2.7bn recorded in the same period of 2020 and up 54% on the previous record period in 2018. It also forecasts that the UK will require an extra 92 million sq. ft. of warehousing space over the next three years. The demand for online grocery sales alone will account for 7.1 million sq. ft. of this additional space. So, what does all this demand mean for warehouses now and in the future? One thing for certain is that continuing best practice around health and safety in industrial environments that are becoming ever busier will be crucial. People and property need to be protected and architects and others responsible for these designs, need to understand how they can facilitate better, safer and more effective workplaces for their clients. Under UK law, employers must observe a duty of care to their workforce: they must identify the risks each person faces at work and plan accordingly. Specification A key part of best practice involving specification for new warehouses, or even improving or expanding existing ones, centres around the efficiency and sustainability of the property – clients are ultimately looking for a premises that runs as safely and efficiently as possible. The Health and Safety Executive’s HSG76 advises on a number of areas that need to be taken into account when planning the layout of a site so that ‘…pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. Where vehicles and pedestrians use the same traffic route, there should be adequate separation between them’. This involves the installation of clear signage and floor markings, which are crucial to the safe and efficient movement of people, vehicles and machinery around the industrial workspace.HSG76 also recommends combining this clearly discernible signage with guardrails and pedestrian handrails used to create clear segregation and traffic routes. Racking and storage is another area where incremental gains in safety can be achieved in a relatively straightforward and cost-effective manner. The application of clip-on protection to rack ends and any sharp edges of units will for example, protect people, vehicles and the units themselves from impact and collision damage. Careful consideration should also be given to choosing the right products supplier. First and foremost, it is critical that they must offer products appropriate for the project. This might seem somewhat obvious, but it is not uncommon for some safety products to look good on paper only to lack the necessary performance characteristics that make them suitable for the required application. Here, opt for products whose performance has been assessed and verified through independent testing – this will always be a good starting point and a clear indicative of suitability. A good supplier should be able to advise an architect on the performance requirements for each system on a project-by-project basis, which will allow you to tailor your designs to the exact needs of the end user. This is where it benefits to partner with a supplier which has an in-house surveying and design team; they can directly support you and make it easier to create bespoke solutions for each project. Requisite expertise Looking further down the project timeline, it will make life easier for the appointed main contractor if your safety system supplier is able to deploy its own installation teams. They will be best placed to assist on-site, helping to make sure that the project is completed within the desired timescales and budget. They will also have the requisite technical knowledge to deal with any issues on-site during the installation process, adding further to fast turnaround times and efficiencies. It’s important to bear in mind that the end client is duty-bound by Regulation 3 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) to ‘…make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work’. An experienced supplier will be well positioned to offer advice and insight when it comes to producing a comprehensive risk assessment for the project site in question. It is also worth considering the strategic partnerships of the supplier when the relevant products are required for your project. Ultimately, architects and specifiers will want to work with fast and responsive suppliers; organisations that can guide and advise based on project requirements through a consultative approach. Health and safety is a critical component of any modern, well-managed warehouse or logistics operation and there is always room for improvement when it comes to safeguarding and protecting people, and mitigating risk. In short, specification of effective safety solutions is simply good business. A RIBA-approved CPD seminar for architects on industrial safety solutions is available from Brandsafe. Details at www.brandsafeprotection.com * https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/315446-0
Mobile Mini UK, one of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and secure storage containers, has continued its innovative approach to safety by implementing a brand-new automatic shut-off feature as standard across its latest fleet of transportation vehicles. The feature relates directly to crane operations and by utilising enhanced on-board AI, reduces the chances of human error as well as increases the capability of overall lifting and remote-control operations. Crane safety features consist of slew restrictors, front legs for improved duties and increased stability and auto remote shut down after 30 seconds, whilst features such as ADR kits, cone holders, warning signage, low view windows in passenger doors and no access to climb onto the body ensure the Mobile Mini fleet is amongst the safest on the road. This is compounded by several additional twist locks, providing even more confidence that loading is a safe and secure process. The new fleet has been unveiled in partnership with global vehicle manufacturer Scania and crane and tractor unit specialists Mac’s Trucks. Three new trucks containing the revolutionary shut-off feature have already been delivered with five more on the way this year. It is expected that 30 new trucks will arrive in total, delivered at appropriate intervals over the next 24 months and replacing 60% of the current fleet, which has been in place for the last 7 years. Alex McDade, Sales Executive at Mac’s Trucks said, “As a joint partnership between Scania and Macs Trucks, we are pleased to currently have 15 vehicles in production and further vehicles due for Q2 next year, ranging from 18T to 32T gross vehicle weights all to be fitted with specialist crane vehicles ranging up to 71tm capacity with full 360 degree operation meaning we can deliver anywhere with the vehicle. Scania are continuing their long relationship with Mobile Mini, now with a 7-year repair and maintenance contract across all parts of the UK. At Macs Truck, we are building the bespoke body work and crane fitment, such as the Scania R500 6×2 tractor unit. Fassi cranes have been chosen again due to their reliability and brilliant back up network across the UK. Mac’s new front legs set up has been the latest improvement to Mobile Mini vehicles, offering better performance, especially over the front of the cab.” Mobile Mini is FORS Gold accredited and ensure all advancements are made in compliance with these standards. Mobile Mini has invested £3million on upgrading its fleet over the last 18 months and has injected another £5.5million ahead of next year, ensuring the new fleet is the most modern, reliable and advanced on the market. Additional features found on the new 2021 fleet include bespoke segregation barriers, mirrors on storage walls and cut-away doors for added visibility and safety displays that give fingertip info and guidance to crane operators. This is combined with a recent roll out of SMUK’s Halo system and 360 cameras and lights, providing high-definition views of driver activity and a direct link to telematics configurations. Nick Sesevic, SHEQ Advisor at Mobile Mini UK said, “Mobile Mini is synonymous with safety excellence and has an enviable safety record of no major incidents over the past two years. We anticipate this technology will become the future industry safety standard and look forward to seeing them out on the road and on-site with our customers very soon.” Andy Cowell, Mobile Mini UK Transport Manager said, “Changes to our fleet are not quick fixes, but we are fortunate to be one of few companies in our industry to purchase rather than lease vehicles, giving us added flexibility and control. Coupling this with the best-trained drivers across the largest crane mounted fleet of its kind in the UK, underpins our recent accolades and reputation for world-class customer service. The next 12 months represents the most we have ever invested in our fleet, as we work closely with our preferred suppliers to secure the highest quality crane mounted trucks in the industry. Our thanks to Scania and Mac’s Trucks for their continued efforts and assistance in improving the next generation of vehicles.” Last month, Mobile Mini installed a new digital reporting system, Assure by SHE Software, supported by QR codes on high-visibility jackets and across branded materials such as site posters, key-fobs, coasters and more. This ensures risk assessment, incident and health & safety reporting, asset, maintenance, service tracking and compliance is easier than ever for ground teams facing hazards to flag the issues or obstacles they face. Earlier this year, three branches were awarded Merits from the British Safety Council and the UK SHEQ team were named ‘Safety Team of the Year Highly Commended Winner’ at the International Safety Awards. Mobile Mini has also rolled out life-saving defibrillator equipment to all of its UK branches for the protection of customers, clients and over 370 members of staff.
As our buildings become ever more complex, the importance of using only approved products which meets the latest regulations for fire safety cannot be emphasised enough. Here, Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables, explains the significance of a new Code of Practice for Category 3 fire performance cables. As a responsible leader in the cabling industry, we are raising awareness of the dangers of not using approved cabling as specified under the revised version of the new Code of Practice for Category 3 fire performance cables under BS 8519: 2020. The signal and control equipment systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. Simply put, some of these systems will not survive in a fire if a sub-standard cable is installed. We point to the detail under the BS 8519:2020 which covers how to select and install fire-resistant power and control cable systems that, in the event of a fire, will maintain their circuit integrity for life safety and fire-fighting. The new Code is intended to inform designers, contractors, fire engineers, regulators and enforcers including building control bodies, fire authorities, Health and Safety inspectors and equipment suppliers and manufacturers. The gives guidance and recommendations on the selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems that need to maintain their circuit integrity for life safety and fire-fighting. It is primarily intended for use in buildings which, due to their size, height, form or use, require the installation of life safety and fire-fighting systems, e.g. sprinkler pumps, wet riser pumps, smoke control systems, fire-fighting and evacuation lifts or other systems as required by a fire engineering strategy. Customers, the wider fire safety industry and professionals have welcomed our message including the professional fire safety membership body the Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO). We feel strongly about this issue as a matter of safety and compliance. Using inferior types of cable for these applications is dangerous and posing a major risk. We are receiving a very positive response from customers who appreciate the information on an issue of such importance. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire. Indeed, these cables also help fire and rescue services to fight a fire and evacuate people in the event of an incident so we shouldn’t underestimate their importance. The standard clearly references and clarifies the products and levels of performance that should be used from specifiers to contractors and installers. We have received wide support for this information and the efforts we are making in the interests of safety for all concerned from the supply chain through to those responsible and the public using buildings in which these systems operate. As the only supplier in the UK with independent approval from LPCB for BS8519 Category 3 Control fire performance cables with a fire survival time of up to 120 minutes, AEI Cables is issuing the warning to all concerned, particularly those making decisions about fire safe products and systems. Under the detail of the revised standard, the practical applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables extend to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, care homes, shopping malls and stadia. BS 8519:2020 makes reference to the recommendations of BS 9999and BS 9991, with regard to the design and installation of the electrical distribution systems for life safety and fire-fighting equipment. It also makes reference to three categories of circuits required to maintain their circuit integrity under defined fire conditions for varying fire survival times of 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 120 minutes. Appropriate cable tests are identified for each cable category derived from applicable British Standards assessing cable performance under conditions of fire as might be expected in an actual fire incident. BS 8519:2020 also aims to ensure that the level of circuit fire integrity is not compromised by other components of the whole electrical distribution system, including cable glands, terminations, joints and cable support systems. By incorporating this guidance into the selection of cabling for these critical systems, those using these striking new buildings can move about safe in the knowledge that they are safe. For further information tel 0191 410 3111 or email sales@aeicables.co.uk See www.aeicables.co.uk