Phase One of Milburngate is on course for completion in the first quarter of 2022. The latest milestone in the construction of the £120m Arlington Richardson development has been achieved with the completion of its structural steel frame. Comprising of 40,000 individual pieces of steel weighing a combined 3,800 tonnes,
In recent years, there’s been a growing trend in smart technology for the home, with many homeowners upgrading their properties with all sorts of internet enabled features and devices that can be operated from a single interface such as a smartphone or tablet. Increasingly, contemporary homes have heating thermostats and
Hardwood flooring is the ideal material for various spaces in your home. The material gives off an attractive ambiance that significantly boosts the overall look of a room. If you’re eager to install new hardwood flooring in your living room or place it throughout your home, it’s an investment that
The latest research from Warwick Estates shows that leasehold homes are playing an increasingly significant role in the UK housing market after enjoying significant growth in the past couple of years. There is an increasingly common narrative around the housing market that leaseholds should be a thing of the past.
Knauf Insulation has been selected as a net zero ‘Business Champion’ by the Construction Leadership Council and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for the CO2nstructZero initiative. It joins a select group of major contractors, consultants, architects, engineers, manufacturers and sub-contractors committed to demonstrating leadership and promoting best
A new Net Zero guide targeted at SMEs working in the built environment has been jointly released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and sister organisation, the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC). Aimed at small and medium sized members of both of these business associations, the guide highlights the
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has been granted planning permission from Coventry City Council for the delivery of 94 brand new homes as part of the Spirit Quarters regeneration programme in North East Coventry. The multi-million-pound partnership led Spirit Quarters project, will enter its fifth phase following the completion of phases
THE INPUT GROUP is celebrating the completion of six developments across the Midlands and Yorkshire – including Sheffield, Castleford and Market Harborough railway stations, Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange and two new Orangetheory Fitness studios – helping to bolster the hard-hit leisure and travel sectors. The projects, which are part of the
Experts are calling for more to be done to stop fire protection systems from failing, after figures from the Home Office revealed that over half a million fire-related incidents were recorded last year with hundreds of deaths resulting. All non-domestic buildings are legally required to have several safety features implemented
Have you ever heard about the five-factor theory and core personality traits that shape every person but still don’t know what it is? If so, keep reading as in this article, you will be able to explore the big five personality traits, their main peculiarities, and how online therapy can
Phase One of Milburngate is on course for completion in the first quarter of 2022. The latest milestone in the construction of the £120m Arlington Richardson development has been achieved with the completion of its structural steel frame. Comprising of 40,000 individual pieces of steel weighing a combined 3,800 tonnes, the key structures that will make up Phase One of Milburngate are now complete and visible on Durham City’s riverside. Following a 54-week build programme, the steel frames of the office building, hotel, boutique cinema, retail and leisure units, as well as the three apartment blocks, are now in place ready for external finishing and interior fitout to take place. The structural frame, which utilises 20,000 welded shear studs, is strengthened with 5,500 square metres of pre-cast concrete beams and supports over 100 flights of stairs through the development. More than 30 local operatives successfully delivered the steel work project with minimal delays to programme, despite the need to adhere to strict Covid safety guidelines including social distancing. Led by Milburngate’s main contractor Tolent, it was delivered in conjunction with County Durham-based constructional steel company Finley Structures and structural engineers Atkins. Allan Cook, managing director at Arlington said: “Erecting 40,000 pieces of steel in this timeframe in a sensitive riverside location such as Milburngate has its challenges, but to achieve this against the backdrop of a worldwide pandemic is testament to the expertise of our construction team and strength of their supply chain. “This is an important moment in the development of Milburngate, not only as a construction milestone, but also in terms of attracting new occupiers. They can now visit site and see first-hand the unique position Milburngate occupies on the riverside and experience the fabulous views we have created of the river and World Heritage site peninsular. “When they visit Milburngate they can now appreciate the important role it will play as a living, working and leisure destination in attracting people to Durham from across the region and beyond. This is certainly paying dividends with potential occupiers as interest in Milburngate has grown significantly in the first part of the year.” Michael Rutherford, project director for Tolent, said: “The completion of the steel frame programme is a significant milestone for the project and what you can now see on site is the best visual representation so far of just what a fantastic development this is going to be for Durham. “As the majority of the structures on site are now weather tight, we are progressing with internal fit out works of the apartment blocks, hotel and leisure and retail units. We recently passed 750,000 hours on site and have a workforce over 300 people which we continue to manage with health, safety and wellbeing as our number one priority.”
In recent years, there’s been a growing trend in smart technology for the home, with many homeowners upgrading their properties with all sorts of internet enabled features and devices that can be operated from a single interface such as a smartphone or tablet. Increasingly, contemporary homes have heating thermostats and lighting controls that can be operated and adjusted from anywhere, WiFi connected security systems with live video footage that can be viewed remotely and, of course, all manner of smart appliances including TVs, fridge freezers and dishwashers that can be controlled via a smartphone app or smart speaker devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Nest. According to recent survey findings, 57% of homes in Britain now contain at least one smart device, and there are 2.22 million homes in the UK with at least two smart devices. For sure, smart homes are the future, however most features are retrofitted after construction. With the current drive to substantially increase the nation’s housing stock in full swing, why are UK housebuilders not integrating more smart technology into new builds right from the design stage? Let’s take a look at some of the most common hurdles. Higher build cost: A complete smart home system can add 5% to the cost of the build with an unproven return on the investment for housebuilders in a highly competitive market. It’s a financial risk many developers are unwilling to take. What’s more, building a home with smart technology requires niche skills, materials and methodologies that are comparatively new to the housing industry, adding time and cost to the process. New ways of cooperating between smart home professionals, architects and site managers are required. Security concerns: According to industry figures, 86% of real estate pros are concerned about cyber attacks and the risk of hacking with smart home technology is on the increase. The more smart features and devices are used, the greater the vulnerability to the householder. Outdoor devices with embedded computers that have little in the way of security protocol pose the greatest risk, such as garage door openers and wireless doorbells are a case in point. Weak communication protocols and configuration settings may also be an issue for smartphone app controlled devices such as personal home assistants, smart thermostats and even baby monitors. Software problems: Software integration can become a real issue for systems that use incompatible technologies and won’t ‘speak’ to each other, or are unable to accommodate additional connections further down the line. With the co-existence of various communication protocols as the proliferation of ever more sophisticated smart devices continues, there is no guarantee that the latest tech used today won’t be obsolete in a few years’ time Again, it’s a financial risk that many housebuilders will want to avoid. On the other hand, it is clear that the emergence of smart home technologies over the last 20 years can no longer be considered a passing phase. Home automation has steadily increased in popularity since the early 2000s, and it might be unwise for the UK housebuilding industry to ignore this fast-growing demand among consumers wanting the latest technology in their homes. Here are some of the main benefits of smart new builds: Smart homes sell faster than comparative properties without the added features, and they fetch premium prices too, particularly among younger homebuyers. Survey findings show that 61% of millennials would pay extra money to live in a home with smart features. Reliable long-term performance of smart home systems is best achieved via upfront integration. Designing the entire system at the beginning will ensure smoother and more efficient operations as opposed to the piecemeal retrofitting of individual features. Greater vigilance offered via connected devices means homeowners are alerted to problems such as burglaries or fires early. This results in fewer home insurance claims and, in turn, potentially lower premiums. Smart homes enable the homeowner to cut down on energy waste such as lights left on or rooms heated unnecessarily, by up to a third. This can help UK housebuilders meet energy efficiency standards and build more sustainable homes. Smart home technology can be particularly beneficial to physically disabled and elderly residents. Home management tasks and home security all become much easier, creating more inclusive home environments. The fact that a growing number of home buyers are now prioritising technology in the home is a clear sign that there is an opportunity to maximise future profits for the UK housebuilding industry by building more smart homes. Not only is the Internet of Things already bringing the benefits of connected living to an increasing number of people, but the next generation of property buyers are looking for homes that align with their values. From environmentally conscious and energy-efficient solutions to more interconnected communications for work and home, smart homes are able to offer all that and more.
Hardwood flooring is the ideal material for various spaces in your home. The material gives off an attractive ambiance that significantly boosts the overall look of a room. If you’re eager to install new hardwood flooring in your living room or place it throughout your home, it’s an investment that requires your full attention. Investing in superior quality flooring for your home, such as hardwood, can provide several long-term benefits. First, it adds timeless elegance and beauty to any space and can be a wise choice if you plan to remodel your home in the future. Hardwood flooring can also last for many years, which is why it’s crucial to choose a suitable hardwood floor for your home. To learn more about hardwood flooring, you can look into custom wood shops such as Elmwood Reclaimed Timber to get an idea of how it will look like once installed. Once you decide to go for hardwood flooring, maintenance is a factor to consider. The material is prone to scratching, and exposure to excessive moisture can increase the risk of rotting. Before installing hardwood flooring in your home, here are several factors to consider to ensure that you’re making the right decision. 1. Interior Design Before deciding on the type of flooring to install in your home, it’s essential to consider the interior of your home first. It would be best to consider the furniture, especially the cabinet trimming, door casings, and other design elements. Doing so will ensure that the floor will seamlessly blend in with your home. 2. Location It’s crucial to note that not all types of hardwood floors work best in all parts of your home. With this in mind, you should carefully think about the areas where you want to install them. In areas below ground level, such as the basement, engineered wood is a good choice. Solid wood is not a suitable option due to the moisture in spaces below the ground. Moisture can rise from the ground and result in problems with solid wood flooring. 3. Subfloor Type Subfloors serve as the base for finished floors in all houses, which should be one of your considerations when selecting hardwood flooring. Generally, the common types of subflooring include particle boards, concrete slabs, and plywood. If you want a versatile option, plywood is ideal since it can support solid wood and engineered floors. 4. Price The price of hardwood flooring includes the installation cost and floor maintenance. It will also depend on the number of years you intend to stay in your current home. If you’re planning to stay in your current home for many years to come, you might want to think about renovating the space and selecting suitable flooring options during that period. Additionally, you should also consider the costs of the removal and disposal of the old flooring. 5. Lifestyle Depending on your lifestyle, you should consider the wear and tear of the flooring you’ll choose. For those who regularly host gatherings with family and friends or have pets around, it’s best to consider a durable type of wood that’s resistant to scratches or damages. You can go for red oak since it’s affordable and resilient enough to endure most damage. 6. Finishing And Staining Options Hardwood flooring is a preferred option for most homeowners due to its beauty and elegance in its natural form. One of the most common concerns in installing hardwood is when the color deteriorates, especially in areas that are constantly exposed to the sun. In maintaining hardwood flooring, you should polish the floor using various finishes to lessen its chances of deteriorating. You can apply any finish of your choice as long as it matches the entire look of your house. 7. Tree Species Various tree species produce distinct hardwood flooring. Each tree showcases unique grain patterns, characteristics, and variations that make them stand out. Here are some of the popular wood types. Oak. You can choose from two types such as red and white. Red oak is a popular option with visible graining and color variations in every plank. White oak, with varying grain patterns, is a suitable option for high-traffic areas in your home. Hickory. When it comes to durability, hickory is the ideal option due to its high density and shock resistance. Ash. The bold graining in each plank, ranging from wavy, straight, or curly, makes it stand out in any space. Conclusion Hardwood flooring is a worthy investment if you want to upgrade the overall look of your home. Before installing hardwood flooring, you should take note of these factors to help you along the way. But one thing’s for sure—once you have installed hardwood flooring in your home, it will give your house that promised lasting elegance for years to come.
The latest research from Warwick Estates shows that leasehold homes are playing an increasingly significant role in the UK housing market after enjoying significant growth in the past couple of years. There is an increasingly common narrative around the housing market that leaseholds should be a thing of the past. This argument often starts by saying leaseholds don’t give owners sufficient freedom and protection in their homes. But, from analysing the past five years of the UK leasehold market in the private sector, it’s clear that they aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re growing in prominence. The industry analysis by Warwick Estates shows that In 2015/16, leaseholds accounted for 20.8% of the private housing market. In 2017, this had slumped to an all-time low market share of 20.3% and it looked as though leaseholds were quickly becoming the least desirable form of homeownership. But the slump didn’t last long. In 2018/19, the leasehold sector’s market share increased to 21.1%, with the total number of leasehold dwellings increasing by 5.3% from just over 4 million to more than 4.2 million. This growth continued into 2019/20, with leaseholds now accounting for 21.6% of all private dwellings, having increased by 3.4% annually. So the idea that leasehold ownership is falling out of favour seems to be incorrect. Instead, after a few years of strife from 2015-2018, leaseholds are on the rise having risen by 8.15% across the five-year period examined in the data. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “Leasehold prominence in the UK housing market is on the up and this should come as no surprise as the sector provides a vital service to many. Those who argue leaseholds are increasingly defunct fail to consider how essential they are for the housing market, for the economy, and for buyers. “Take a walk around any city; there are new developments and high rise flats going up everywhere. Those that are destined to be sold will be done so with leaseholds. For as long as people want to live in urban areas and in flats, leaseholds will provide the ability to secure and maintain this lifestyle choice. “That’s not to say leaseholds don’t come with challenges, but with intelligent and communication-focused management that caters to landlords and leaseholders alike, these challenges can be mitigated and nullified.“ Leasehold dwellings across the private sector (owner occupied and private rented sector) Period Leasehold dwellings as % of stock Change (%) TOTAL – number of leasehold dwellings Change (n) Annual Change (%) Change – 2015/16 to 2019/20 (%) 2019-20 21.6% 0.5% 4,378,000 146,000 3.4% 8.15% 2018-19 21.1% 0.8% 4,232,000 212,000 5.3% 2017-18 20.3% -0.2% 4,020,000 -1,000 0.0% 2016-17 20.5% -0.3% 4,021,000 -27,000 -0.7% 2015-16 20.8% – 4,048,000 – – Data sourced from Gov.uk – Leasehold Dwellings
Knauf Insulation has been selected as a net zero ‘Business Champion’ by the Construction Leadership Council and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for the CO2nstructZero initiative. It joins a select group of major contractors, consultants, architects, engineers, manufacturers and sub-contractors committed to demonstrating leadership and promoting best practice to reduce construction carbon emissions. “Net zero is a colossal challenge, and to achieve it will require unprecedented collaboration” said Neil Hargreaves, Managing Director, Knauf Insulation Northern Europe. “As the biggest supplier of insulation into newbuild homes in the UK, and the nation’s only manufacturer of both Glass and Rock Mineral Wool, we know we have an important role to play. Especially as the industry transitions towards much stricter ‘real performance’ standards. We look forward to working with our partners across the supply chain to create a built environment that’s fit for the future.” Established earlier this year, CO2nstruct Zero is the construction industry’s zero carbon change programme. Business Champions are required to share tangible evidence of the steps they are taking to respond to the net zero carbon challenge, and to commit to sharing data and learnings with the industry. Business Champions include Arcadis, Costain, JCB, Laing O’Rourke, Mace and Travis Perkins. “Improved insulation will be at the heart of UK construction’s efforts to decarbonise, but operational carbon is only one side of the equation,” said Hargreaves. “To create genuinely low-carbon buildings, we’ll need to create them using low-carbon materials. That’s why we’re taking bold action now to reduce the embodied carbon and environmental impact of our products.” Knauf Insulation has set specific targets for 2025 as part of its recently published sustainability strategy, ‘For a Better World’. These include: Reducing the embodied carbon of its products by 15% compared with 2019; Investing 10% of its general capital expenditure on new sustainability projects; Cutting its organisational carbon footprint by at least 25%; Sending zero waste to landfill from its manufacturing plants across the group; Reducing virgin plastic packaging by 25%; Setting new higher minimum levels of recycled materials in products and packaging. For further information on Knauf Insulation’s ‘For A Better World’ sustainability strategy, visit www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/for-a-better-world.
A new Net Zero guide targeted at SMEs working in the built environment has been jointly released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and sister organisation, the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC). Aimed at small and medium sized members of both of these business associations, the guide highlights the steps that should be taken towards a carbon free future, explores how Net Zero is already influencing client decision making, and outlines how to meet new client expectations while seizing the business opportunities created. The guide also provides a handy reference to previously released publications, reports, pledge schemes and sector plans, directly sign-posting to the most important and relevant sources of information. Commenting on its launch, Dr Sarah Prichard, UK managing director at Buro Happold, and chair of the ACE and EIC Net Zero group, said: “We designed this guide to help SMEs with practical and tangible advice to support them to make the right choices on their Net Zero journey. “While much has been written around national targets and global conferences, the truth is that we will only succeed if we bring small and medium sized business on board. The UK economy is made up of six million SMEs making up 99.9% of the business population. Our guide is the first step towards this in our industries and I’m looking forward to further engaging both membership bases on this fundamental issue in the weeks and months ahead.” Available to download from the ACE website, EIC members will be sent a copy directly. The guide is released during Net Zero Week, a new national awareness campaign which is bringing together nearly 30 business associations and major organisations to explore all things Net Zero. ACE and EIC are founding partners of the week. Matthew Farrow, director of policy at ACE and EIC, added: “We are delighted to share this guide during the inaugural Net Zero Week. “New ways of working will – of course – mean challenges and change over the near term, but it will also create new business opportunities. Our guide aims to help small and medium sized businesses in our sectors be as well-prepared as possible to seize these.”
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has been granted planning permission from Coventry City Council for the delivery of 94 brand new homes as part of the Spirit Quarters regeneration programme in North East Coventry. The multi-million-pound partnership led Spirit Quarters project, will enter its fifth phase following the completion of phases one to four which have delivered 979 new homes in the area, 275 of which were allocated for affordable housing in partnership with Citizen. The latest phase will comprise of a further 74 properties for the open market, comprising of two, three, and four-bedroom houses and 20 affordable homes. Charlotte Goode, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: ‘’We’re delighted to have received planning permission for the fifth phase of construction at Spirit Quarters. This significant regeneration project will not only deliver 94 much-needed new homes to the area, but every aspect of the development has been designed to fulfil the needs of this brand-new community. “We’ve already welcomed over 700 new homeowners to Spirit Quarters and are excited to start construction on phase five, which will provide even more new homes for both first time buyers and those looking to up or downsize. “This latest planning approval is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our already existing presence in the city and is another positive step for our ambitious growth plans in the West Midlands.’’ Dianne Williams, Chief Executive of Moat House Community Trust, said “It is very exciting to be able to announce that the next phase of the redevelopment will be starting very soon and that we are entering into the final stages of delivering the vision that the residents had to transform their area through physical and social regeneration and investment.” Citizen’s Director of Regeneration Services Kevin Roach said: “We are delighted to be entering the next phase of our ambitious Spirit Quarters regeneration project. “We believe passionately in the power of transforming communities here at Citizen and that successful regeneration is about much more than bricks and mortar. It means creating the right mix of homes and environment so that people value and stay in their area; it means creating real ownership in a community and investing in education, health, employment, transport, and leisure. “The change that has taken place in the area and continues to take place would not have been possible without the continued drive, support and commitment of the community and our partner Moat House Community Trust.” Cllr David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing at Coventry City Council, adds: “Spirit Quarters is not only creating much-needed housing in the city, it is building a community. “It is providing attractive housing with open spaces and is exactly the sort of development we are looking for as we work to meet housing demand for growing families, first time buyers and everyone in between. “The first four phases have helped to transform the area and these latest plans will continue that good work.” Construction is due to commence in the summer of 2021, with the first homeowners due to move in June 2022. The development will take around two and a half years to complete.
THE INPUT GROUP is celebrating the completion of six developments across the Midlands and Yorkshire – including Sheffield, Castleford and Market Harborough railway stations, Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange and two new Orangetheory Fitness studios – helping to bolster the hard-hit leisure and travel sectors. The projects, which are part of the specialist contractor’s large portfolio of leisure and transport projects across the region, required a range of installation works to create and improve public facilities. The Input Group’s £2.8 million transformation at Castleford train station was carried out in a bid to improve passenger experience. The team worked to create new high-quality waiting facilities – which comprised a ticket vending machine, seating area, a disabled toilet, and information and retail facilities – as well as refurbishing the station’s car park to provide 65 parking spaces, CCTV, lighting and improved pedestrian and cycle access. Market Harborough station also benefitted from a brand-new cycle hub. Part of East Midlands Railway’s £1 million commitment to increasing cycle provision across its network, the completed hub now provides 100 spaces in a secure storage facility with accompanying CCTV. Chris Monk, managing director at The Input Group, said: “As a Derby-based business, we have a lot of links to the region, so we find it really fulfilling when we complete projects in the Midlands and surrounding areas that help to support and grow the local economy. Both the travel and leisure sectors are industries that suffered throughout the pandemic, so helping to create and improve facilities that encourage public spend to re-boost these industries is incredibly important to The Input Group.” The team also made improvements to two railway stations in Sheffield, installing anti-slip tiling and wider entrance doors at Sheffield station to increase access to the external taxi rank and cycle hub, and upgrading Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange’s car park through resurfacing and the installation of a new CCTV system. Infrastructure works were also carried out at the station, which will allow for electric vehicle charging stations to be installed in the future. Chris added: “While we often work on transport and railway projects, we have also recently completed two fitness studios in Derby and Nottingham for Orangetheory Fitness – an American fitness brand that is now expanding across the UK. We will be working on completing 40 gym studios for the brand across the Midlands and Northern England, which will be a great addition to our portfolio of leisure schemes.” In both studios, the team worked to complete the design according to Orangetheory’s brand guidelines, carried out the mechanical and electrical installation of all equipment, and created entrance ways, office facilities, toilets, locker rooms, changing cubicles and showers. Adam Busby, sales director at Orangetheory Fitness, said: “Launching our third studio in the East Midlands, and the second studio with The Input Group is really exciting. Both Derby and Nottingham have so many new businesses and an array of culture, cafes and restaurants, there’s a wonderful community feel to these cities, which is perfect for the local community feel we like to create for our members. Orangetheory Nottingham & Derby may be part of a globally successful brand, but these studios are very much Derby and Nottingham’s ‘local’ studios and with The Input Group’s help, we’re looking forward to continuing to launch stunning studios to welcome people to the OTF family.” The Input Group was established more than 45 years ago and provides a ‘one stop shop’ approach to construction within the transport, corporate, and retail sectors. With offices in Derby and London, the firm has delivered a number of high-profile projects for clients such as Eurostar – including the design and development of St Pancras International – Network Rail, DHL, and Transport for London. To find out more about The Input Group, please visit www.inputgroup.co.uk or contact marketing@inputgroup.co.uk.
Experts are calling for more to be done to stop fire protection systems from failing, after figures from the Home Office revealed that over half a million fire-related incidents were recorded last year with hundreds of deaths resulting. All non-domestic buildings are legally required to have several safety features implemented to reduce the effects of fires, such as alarms and doors. Fire doors work by stopping the spread of deadly smoke and fire; yet over three quarters of fire doors in 2019 failed inspections and were condemned as unfit for purpose. Reasons for failure of these doors range from ‘excessive gaps’ that allow smoke to pass, to ‘poorly adjusted door closers’ that prevent the door from staying in its default closed position in order to hold back the spread of fire. Director of Combined Fire Protection, Ellie McKay, says: “It’s staggering how many landlords are still not compliant despite the recent changes in regulation. Putting aside the hefty fines they can incur; the graver concern is the potential loss of life that can happen when corners are cut.” “There is so much to advise landlords and developers on when buildings are going up. The importance of working with professional organisations to ensure that stringent requirements are met cannot be underestimated.” Lessons from a tragedy This lack of building safety features has been all but spotlighted since the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower which took the lives of over 70 people in 2017. An investigation following the fire found several shortcomings from the fire protection equipment including the doors, alarms and exit signs. It was found that the fire doors were replaced six years prior and, during an inquiry were reported to have had their self-closing mechanisms either broken or missing, meaning many were left open during the night of the fire and allowed poisonous smoke to pour through the lobbies of the tower. It was also found that the door could only hold back fire for half as long as it was supposed to; at just 15 minutes. Following an intense inquiry four years later, the government has now published proposals for what it calls “the biggest change in building safety for a generation”, placing greater responsibility on those designing and constructing buildings to explain how they are managing risks and demonstrating that a building is safe for occupants. A lesson to be learned from Grenfell is the importance of thorough operational checks on vital equipment is paramount. Now accountability has been heightened we are experiencing a high volume of ‘catch up’ across the industry to hit compliance targets. In my opinion this proves the lack of stringent surveys over the past decades but at least things are heading in the right direction at a good speed. Mark Frain of Combined Fire Protection believes a lesson to be learned from the disaster is thorough operational checks on vital equipment. “Now accountability has been heightened, we are experiencing a high volume of ‘catch up’ across the industry to compliance targets. This proves the lack of stringent surveys over past decades but at least things are heading in the right direction.” “We welcome the proposed changes and hopefully this will force landlords and business owners to be more compliant and take preventative measures to ensure that we don’t see the likes of the Grenfell disaster recurring”, added McKay. To understand more on how you can update your building’s fire safety, get in touch with Combined Fire Protection at social@combinedfireprotection.co.uk
Have you ever heard about the five-factor theory and core personality traits that shape every person but still don’t know what it is? If so, keep reading as in this article, you will be able to explore the big five personality traits, their main peculiarities, and how online therapy can help you accurately measure them. Let’s get started! What Are the Big Five Personality Traits? The big five model is the most widely recognized personality theory in the psychology world. Researchers and many people use the acronym OCEAN (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) that stands for each trait and it’s more convenient and easier to remember. Now, let’s look closer at the 5 traits and see what they mean for your personality. Openness This trait corresponds to your openness to new experiences in life. People with a high score of this trait have plenty of interests, are very curious, and have a wide imagination. They are willing to learn new things, are creative, and adore adventures. On the contrary, people with low scores are more earthy and lack abstract thinking abilities. High Score: high level of creativity openness to new experiences advanced abstract thinking Low Score: are against changes prefer traditional lifestyle with no room for new experiences lack imagination and creativity Conscientiousness This trait is all about the ability to control impulses and a considerable level of thoughtfulness. People with high scores tend to be more organized, cautious, and detail-oriented. Also, very conscientious people love to plan everything ahead and think in advance about how their behavior will affect others. People with low scores have opposite characteristics. They don’t care about being organized and time- or detail-oriented. High Score: great with time management diligent detail-oriented Low Score: dislike structure and deadlines prefer mess over order love to procrastinate Extraversion Extraversion defines the way people interact with others and where they draw energy from. The level of extraversion shows the level of sociability, friendliness towards people as well as emotional expressiveness. People with a high score of extraversion tend to be very excited, talkative, love to interact with others, and communication with people gives them the most energy. Those who have a low level of extraversion, or so-called introverts, don’t like to spend time in a social environment and are more discreet. High Score: love attention enjoy meeting new people and social interactions start new conversations and make new friends easily Low Score: love being alone socialization exhausts them don’t like conversations with strangers Agreeableness This particular trait refers to how people interact with other people in terms of kindness, compassion, altruism, trust, affection, etc. Whereas agreeable people cooperate with others much better, are great team players, and are very helpful, less agreeable people are a bit competitive, suspicious, and even often manipulative. This characteristic is a direct demonstration of behavior and attitude towards other people. High Score: soft-hearted trustful cooperative and ready to help empathetic sympathetic Low Score: stubborn don’t care much about people unsympathetic self-centered Neuroticism The level of neuroticism defines the moodiness and sadness of a person and the overall tendency to negative thinking. People with a high score are emotionally unstable, unpredictable, anxious, and easily irritated. This characteristic shows how a person reacts to challenging life events. High Score: often have mood swings pessimistic stressed-out about difficult situations anxious insecurity Low Score: easily cope with stress relaxed and calm stable mood confident How to Measure Your Big 5 Personality Traits? Now, with access to the Internet, you can simply browse the big five personality traits test online. Usually, it is the list of 50 questions that you have to answer, and based on it you will get your results. It will take you up to 10-15 minutes to take this test and after this, you will learn more about yourself. Keep in mind that each personality is unique and complex and this test can not be 100% accurate when it comes to defining your traits. They can be affected by many factors in different life situations. How You Can Use the Information About Your OCEAN Score? First of all, it will be useful in order to simply know yourself better as well as to understand people around you. By knowing your main personality traits you can enhance your strengths and improve your weaknesses. Speaking of people around, this info can enable you to become a better communicator and learn to resolve interpersonal problems based on your knowledge. In addition, your OCEAN score is extremely important for employers who are looking for the most stable and reliable person to join their team. Recruiters pay close attention to these personality traits and evaluate candidates based on them to make sure a job seeker is the best fit for a position. Also knowing your personality traits will help you find the right job that fits you as a person and will bring you maximum enjoyment in life and in the workplace as well. How Does Online Therapy Can Help You Discover Your Personality Traits? First of all, you will be able to explore your own list of personality traits under the supervision of a licensed therapist. You will have a chance to discuss each of these traits in detail and understand better how each one shapes your life and affects your interpersonal relationships. Once you define your core personality strengths and weaknesses, a therapist can help you work on each characteristic and reveal your best qualities. And of course, online therapy is a perfect opportunity for you to simply talk about your life with an experienced professional and get the desired guidance and emotional support. In case you are going through a challenging period in your life and feel lost or confused, a counselor will hear you out and provide support. You will find your way in life and ease your emotional struggles. Many people opt for online therapy as it’s a great option to have online sessions in the most convenient way for them. There is no