THE £15m relocation of the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre from Glenfield Hospital to its new city centre home at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) has now completed. National independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard has worked in close cooperation with the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to
New Model in Award-winning DL-7 Series Features Fuel-Saving CVT System As part of the company’s award-winning DL-7 series, Doosan has launched the new DL420CVT-7 Stage V compliant wheel loader equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). With a maximum bucket capacity of 4.5 m3, the Doosan DL420CVT-7 wheel loader is
A new, national, engagement programme supporting communities across Scotland to recover from the COVID pandemic through heritage, has been launched by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). Community Connections is a new unified framework working with community groups and organisations across Scotland todeliver a range of collaborative projects through sharing resources, networks, knowledge, and expertise. The aim is to show how the heritage that matters locally can play a vital role in supporting the post-pandemic recovery – often in surprising and creative ways. The programme’s initial focus is to develop projects around the following key areas: health and
As the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) opens to applications, Kensa Contracting is urging local authorities and housing associations in England to act now and bid for a portion of the £160m available in 2021/22 to install highly efficient low carbon ground source heat pumps to tackle climate change and
UK emissions fell by nearly 50 per cent of their 1990 levels during the 2020 lockdown. According to The Guardian, this positive change will be short-lived. Carbon dioxide emissions are forecast to jump this year by the second biggest annual rise in history to help the economy recover after the
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed how the new-build market has been helping to satisfy heightened demand for larger homes during the pandemic. Warwick Estates analysed new build property sales records from the Land Registry since the start of the pandemic at the end of January last year
NATIONAL contractor The Input Group has started work on site at St Edmunds Catholic Academy with an extensive multi-million-pound expansion of three school buildings. Located in Compton Park Road, adjacent to the Wolves Academy and training ground in Wolverhampton, The Input Group was appointed by the academy to carry out
Premier Forecourts and Construction, a specialist in forecourts and diverse construction projects, has appointed a new finance director as the company experiences a period of substantial growth after pivoting its business towards the electric vehicle charging market. Rebecca Cook has been promoted to director after serving as a finance controller
Construction managers, investors, and job site contractors have a lot on their plate. Between organizing workers and keeping projects on track, job site security is a totally separate headache, but it’s still incredibly important. Managed video surveillance is one of the best ways to secure your job site against unwanted
Block Out the Sun While sunlight can add picturesque natural lighting to certain areas of your home, it also stands to increase indoors temps, especially during the summer months. Needless to say, the hotter your home gets, the harder your air conditioning has to work – and the harder your
THE £15m relocation of the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre from Glenfield Hospital to its new city centre home at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) has now completed. National independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard has worked in close cooperation with the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust to co locate children’s Congenital heart services in the region within a state-of-the-art setting. The children’s congenital heart service department was previously centred at Glenfield Hospital but has been moved to be part of the larger Leicester Children’s Hospital within Leicester Royal Infirmary. The move is part of the enabling works for the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust plan to transform healthcare in Leicester after winning £450m from the government to build a maternity and children’s hospital. The relocation has taken place over three phases of construction, with the first and largest element being a new-build extension to the Kensington Building to house the cardiac outpatient’s department, new cardiac theatre and new hybrid catheter lab. This extension is an innovative three-storey modular design including a basement level and is designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification. Pick Everard provided principal designer services for all works, and electrical and mechanical design services for the PICU and cardiac ward. These services were also provided for work on the Kensington Building infrastructure, including phased strip-out, refurbishment and replacement of various features. Our designs also provided new domestic hot and cold-water plant and risers to serve the new extension and new wards, as well as having capacity to serve any future wards that would be accommodated within the building. Joshua Sandbach, project manager at Pick Everard, who was seconded to the client to provide internal support and ensure smooth delivery of the project, said: “We’re really proud to have facilitated such an important project, ensuring a high-spec central treatment centre for congenital heart services. Working within the client’s team has been a real key to the successful delivery of this project due to the pressures and unpredictability brought on by the pandemic and Brexit. “There have, of course, been a number of challenging points, but we have now created a truly considerate facility that meets the users’ needs and exceeds their expectations.” The second phase of work included a new cardiac ward situated on the first floor of the existing Kensington Building. This new ward has been designed with its end users in mind, considering the fact that many parents will wish to remain close to their children during treatment and hospital stays. To facilitate this, the design includes [four] of bedrooms for parent use to make their time at the hospital as comfortable and stress free as possible as well as the provision of fold down beds in patient side rooms. The final phase of work saw the installation of the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), brand-new to fifth floor of the Kensington Building. As the new heart facility centres around the existing Kensington Building, it was necessary to relocate the services previously housed in this area of the hospital. In order achieve this, a compelling business case had to be created and Pick Everard consequently worked to refurbish two existing clinical areas on the LRI estate to re-house the maternity department and the gynaecology assessment and outpatients’ services. Nigel Bond, deputy director of estates and facilities at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “The relocation of EMCHC to the LRI secures this fantastic service for the people of Leicester and the East Midlands area. It also represents the first phase of what will become a standalone Children’s Hospital on the site. The people of Leicester fought a hard campaign to retain the service in this region, they can be proud of what has been achieved. “Having Josh from Pick Everard embedded in our delivery team has been a delight and a significant contribution to the quality of the outcome. He has worked tirelessly with the clinical team, my staff and the contractors to ensure we got the building this service needs and deserves.” Adrian Ceney, partner at Pick Everard, said: “The importance of a healthy and supported start in life for children cannot be understated. We are really pleased to have delivered this particular project, which will provide that all-important start in life for those children born with health conditions, as well as ongoing support throughout their lives. “Given that our head office is based in Leicester city centre, it is with tremendous pride that we have worked with our local NHS Trust to provide the highest quality of heart healthcare in the region, while also improving the environment that our healthcare heroes work within. We are confident that the new-look departments will serve their purpose for many years to come, and we look forward to seeing the services get up and running in the coming months.” Alastair Hamilton, partner at Pick Everard, added: “We’re especially proud of the work we have delivered on this scheme, especially as the Leicester Hospital’s Charity is our head office’s charity of the year. Improving lives in our local region is incredibly important to us as a business, so we’re pleased to be supporting the charity, local health provision and the local business community, being an inaugural member of the charity’s business club, Friends of the Fox.” All works have been delivered following a direct appointment via the NHS Shared Business Services framework, a vehicle that provides business support services to the NHS and public sector. For more information, please visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/
New Model in Award-winning DL-7 Series Features Fuel-Saving CVT System As part of the company’s award-winning DL-7 series, Doosan has launched the new DL420CVT-7 Stage V compliant wheel loader equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). With a maximum bucket capacity of 4.5 m3, the Doosan DL420CVT-7 wheel loader is intended to meet a wide range of material-handling needs from loading and transporting granular material (such as sand or gravel) to quarrying, mining, construction, demolition, industrial, waste and recycling applications. A CVT transmission is the result of a permanent combination of a hydraulic technology and a mechanical technology which provides a smooth and continuous speed variation. The CVT design combines the benefits of a hydraulic mechanical transmission and a hydrostatic transmission in the same machine. It allows the DL420CVT-7 to automatically transition from hydrostatic power at low speed to the mechanical system to operate at higher speeds. By combining the two types of transmission, the CVT technology ensures high loads can be carried at low engine speeds with high dynamics for an optimum wheel loader operating cycle. The DL420CVT-7 therefore provides an increase in machine performance for operators working in digging, loading and lifting applications. For most tasks, operators will utilise the hydrostatic part of the transmission, which offers greater fuel efficiency in low-speed applications. The combination of the two transmissions is automatic and fully transparent for the operator. Up to 15% Additional Fuel Savings The complete driving range, forwards and in reverse, is controlled by the CVT system. Low engine speeds ensure a high efficiency and the highest driving comfort irrespective of the traction speed. The power splitting continuously variable technology facilitates moving off softly and hydraulically. Furthermore, with the CVT, a fuel saving of up to 15% can be achieved. With an output of 240 kW (326 HP) of power at 1800 RPM, the Scania DC09 engine in the DL420CVT-7 provides generous torque at low RPM and meets Stage V emission regulations without the need for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), through the use of selective catalyst reduction, diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter (DPF) after-treatment technologies. The soot cleaning cycle on the DPF has been improved to over 6000 h and the operator is fully informed about the status of the DPF via a soot level indicator on the new touchscreen display in the cab. New Award-Winning Design The new DL420CVT-7 features the same award-winning external design common to all models in the DL-7 series, creating a three-dimensional effect with an innovative cover shape and a vibrant, dynamic image for the range. It has already received great acclaim globally, winning Germany’s 2020 iF Design Award, one of the world’s top three design awards and the ‘Best of the Best’ category in the Korean PIN UP Design Awards. Increased Productivity and Versatility The Z-kinematic lift arm on the DL420CVT-7 delivers high breakout forces and lifting capacities, especially for heavy materials, and a large dump angle for efficiently unloading sticky materials. An optional high lift arm is available where higher dump heights and increased versatility are required. Doosan is also offering a wider choice of options to provide more work tools for a better match with applications, further increasing output. Like all DL-7 wheel loaders, the DL420CVT-7 loader has smooth and responsive hydraulics and auxiliary hydraulic connections. It is equipped as standard with a 3rd spool valve with settable flow and detent function, providing a constant flow for hydraulically driven attachments. Operators can easily and comfortably control hydraulic attachments via the proportional switch on the joystick. Various bias and radial tyre options are also available from leading global manufacturers, to cover the widest possible range of conditions and applications. In addition, the new wheel loader can be ordered with a heavier optional counterweight, depending on the application. Excellent Operator Visibility The new cab on the DL420CVT-7 offers a greatly improved field of vision for the operator, with blind spots around the cab minimized and a 14% larger glass window area compared to the previous DL-5 model. The DL420CVT-7 wheel loader also offers the option of electrically adjustable rear view mirrors for added safety. Full LED working lights are installed on the cab (four on both the front and rear as standard, with the option of six each at the front and rear). For higher pedestrian safety, the LED lights on the rear bonnet have an automatic strobe function to indicate when the wheel loader is reversing. An air compressor with air blower is available as an option – fitted in the cab for easy access, this is a powerful tool that can be used to clean the cab whenever necessary. New Spacious Ergonomic Cab Design Inside the cab, the DL420CVT-7 provides significantly enhanced operating comfort, an enhanced steering system and advanced electronic controls. Using the new Doosan Smart Key system on the control panel in the cab, the operator can start the machine using a keyless device, helping to prevent machine theft. The Smart Key system provides remote door control, door lock and unlock, door release, searching and other functions. The control panel also includes two USB sockets. The new cab has a Grammer Actimo XXL seat with fully adjustable horizontal and vertical suspension settings, a pneumatic lumbar function and seat heating as standard. There is a 3-point safety belt with alarm icons on the new Doosan Smart Touch 8 inch touchscreen monitor and on the gauge panel, which features a new layout and anti-reflective glass. The new EMCV (Electric Main Control Valve) joystick fully integrated in the armrest is another standard feature in the cab, providing the operator with smoother and precise controllability of the lift arm and attachments on the wheel loader. Features available via the EMCV system include Automatic Return-to-Dig, Bucket Tilt Kick-out and the Bucket crowd stop position and shock prevention for higher operator comfort. Designed to give the operator more precise control with a shorter lever stroke, resulting in less fatigue, the sensitivity of the ergonomic joystick control can be set and altered
A new, national, engagement programme supporting communities across Scotland to recover from the COVID pandemic through heritage, has been launched by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). Community Connections is a new unified framework working with community groups and organisations across Scotland todeliver a range of collaborative projects through sharing resources, networks, knowledge, and expertise. The aim is to show how the heritage that matters locally can play a vital role in supporting the post-pandemic recovery – often in surprising and creative ways. The programme’s initial focus is to develop projects around the following key areas: health and wellbeing skills and volunteering creativity climate change community and destination regeneration In addition to exciting opportunities to develop fresh ideas under the programme, participants can also gain access to HES’s vast network of professionals across Scotland who are looking to help communities recover and thrive. As well as devising and delivering a range of future collaborative projects, the new, dedicated HES programme will also provide a range of supporting initiatives to benefit local communities. These include a new online ‘Community Connections Forum’ hosting discussions, workshops, and events with HES employees and communities. This will provide an interactive platform for inspiring opportunities and growing collaborations. The programme will also feature regular online discussion events entitled Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations, bringing together volunteers, community groups and heritage professionals. The discussions among a partnership featuring HES, Archaeology Scotland, The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Scottish Council for Archives, and the Scottish Community Heritage Alliance, will aim to celebrate resilience within community groups and examine the connections between heritage and wellbeing, arts, and culture. Elsewhere, Community Connections will also include HES employees delivering interactive talks to community groups, as well as encouraging partnership initiatives, volunteer engagement and community events. Commenting on the programme, Alison Turnbull, HES Director of Development and Partnership, said: “Although the initial focus will be on helping with COVID recovery, as the prorgramme develops it will be about ensuring communities can confidently and easily access our knowledge and expertise, so we can prioritise our resources to make a positive difference - connecting and collaborating and using local heritage to have a positive impact across the country. “ Stephen Duncan, HES Director of Commercial and Tourism, added: “Our new programme is not just about the heritage sector, as we are looking at how we can provide a contribution to community recovery across a range of different sectors as well as different themes, such as health and wellbeing by using our Properties In Care and sites to inform and deliver activities, such as organised health walks around our green spaces for example.”
As the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) opens to applications, Kensa Contracting is urging local authorities and housing associations in England to act now and bid for a portion of the £160m available in 2021/22 to install highly efficient low carbon ground source heat pumps to tackle climate change and protect their tenants from fuel poverty. Ieman Barmaki, Director of Low Carbon Partnerships at Kensa Contracting, says: “We are very pleased to see ground source heat pumps included as a measure in this funding scheme which will help local authorities replace fossil fuel heating systems and deliver warm, energy-efficient homes whilst reducing carbon emissions and fuel bills. “It is critical that some of the most vulnerable in society can benefit from low cost and low carbon heating systems. There are currently 2.5m households across the UK in fuel poverty who are unable to afford adequate heating. This fund can make a significant impact on fuel poverty if ground source heat pumps are installed as part of the solution to place residents on a net zero pathway.” There is an 8-week application window for the first wave of SHDF funding bids, beginning on 23rd August and ending on 15th October. To help capitalise on this opportunity, Kensa Contracting will be delivering free CPD sessions showcasing the benefits of ground source heat pumps in social housing with large-scale retrofit case studies and demonstrating how the technology is eligible under the scheme. Local authorities are invited to register their interest here: https://kensa.group/shdf-cpd Kensa can also support local authorities in making a bid by delivering desktop feasibility studies of building stock to help identify ‘retrofit-ready’ projects, and providing estimates for the investment budgets and potential grant amounts needed for installing ground source heating systems. The UK government has committed to reducing emissions to net-zero by 2050, and over 10 years, the SHDF fund will potentially provide up to £3.8 billion in subsequent funding waves to encourage local authorities in England to retrofit measures such as low-carbon heating and insulation to increase energy efficiency and decarbonise their housing stock. The primary objective of the SHDF scheme is to upgrade a significant amount of England’s 4.1m social homes to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030. Currently, nearly 40% of properties fall below this, with fuel poverty posing a serious risk for residents when high fuel bills mean tough choices between heating or eating. Under the scheme’s guidelines, low carbon heating, including ground source heat pumps, can be installed where a ‘fabric first approach is taken’. Electrically-powered ground source heat pumps are sustainable, non-combustion devices generating no point of use emissions or pollution, and have been highlighted by government as a key part of the UK’s strategy to decarbonise heat, of which 37% of total UK carbon emissions are attributed to. Using freely available heat energy from the ground, a ground source heat pump can deliver 3 to 4 kilowatts (kW) of heat for every 1kW of electricity it consumes, making it highly efficient. While modern condensing boilers can be up to 90% efficient, a ground source heat pump can achieve efficiencies of 400%, without the carbon emissions or air pollution created by burning fossil fuels. The government’s 10-point-plan to put the UK back on track to meet its net-zero carbon target by 2050, states the aim to have 600,000 heat pump installations every year by 2028, and the Committee for Climate Change (CCC) has suggested this figure should even be increased to 900,000. This will require a massive scaling up of ground source heat pump installations, and Kensa believes that a Shared Ground Loop Array infrastructure is the key to achieving this. Shared Ground Loop Arrays are a modern-day renewable alternative to the traditional gas network that allow multiple properties to benefit from communal clusters of boreholes, with individual heat pumps installed inside each property. This approach is perfect for multiple occupancy dwellings such as tower blocks. The retrofit of a three tower-block scheme with Kensa Contracting and Croydon Council has been documented in a recently launched film here: https://kensa.group/shdf-croydon. The Croydon scheme provides a blueprint for the potential low-carbon retrofit of the 1.6 million flats in the UK, representing 41.8% of all households – a portion of which could be fast-tracked to warmer, greener, and cheaper homes through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
UK emissions fell by nearly 50 per cent of their 1990 levels during the 2020 lockdown. According to The Guardian, this positive change will be short-lived. Carbon dioxide emissions are forecast to jump this year by the second biggest annual rise in history to help the economy recover after the pandemic. So, what can we do differently now to make a lasting positive impact on our environment and reduce emissions? Here Martin Hurn, event director at sustainable construction event Futurebuild, asks a group of industry thought leaders — who is responsible for the effective delivery of net-zero? We are aware that any business that interacts with the construction industry, such as architects, builders and material manufacturers, has a legal obligation to take actions that will help the UK reach net zero. In reality, many businesses don’t know what part they should be playing, what actions they must take or how to effectively collaborate with other sustainable businesses to make it a reality. Additionally, who is responsible for ensuring that we do deliver net zero emissions? Before knowing who is responsible for delivering net zero, we need to think about what that entails. For example, what does a client mean when they ask for a net zero building? According to the Institute for Government, it’s a property that balances the amount of greenhouse gases it produces during construction and day-to-day use with the amount it removes from the atmosphere. Who is responsible? One of the key contributors to reaching net zero in the UK is the government. In 2008, the government introduced the Climate Change Act in a bid to make Britain a low-carbon economy and with this act came environmental responsibility for the government. In April 2021, the government set the world’s most ambitious climate change target, of cutting emissions by 78 per cent by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. The government has introduced initiatives such as the Green Homes Grant to help homeowners lower emissions, but it is unclear if these made a lasting impact on net zero efforts. The government may have set the industry on the right path with these targets, but how is Britain and the construction industry going to deliver these ambitious targets? “What the government has delivered so far is good, but it is not enough to get us through the next phase of transition,” commented Richard Twinn, Principal Consultant at Cundall. “Influence verses control over emissions are two different things and we need coordinated action.” Legally enforcing a reduction in emissions, rather than making suggestions, forces businesses, especially in the construction industry, to start their net zero journey without clear guidance. Without a large amount of government support to join up these individual companies, the targets will become an unrealistic rather than a reachable goal. Local authorities also have a part to play in educating construction businesses, manufacturers and the general public and help them to turn ambitions in actions. Dr Oliver Jones, Research Director at Ryder Architecture explained that “public and private sectors need to come together to deliver education on what net zero means and how we get there.” Large businesses and small and medium enterprises can play their part by increasing their knowledge and desire to make sustainable changes. “There is a lack of incentive right now to dive in and take charge from smaller businesses,” commented Elaine Lewis, Managing Director at Cadventure. “This is mainly because of the unknown, perhaps the green agenda should place a greater focus on direct benefits to small businesses and their part in future proofing the industry.” Construction materials developers and manufacturers have the opportunity to invest in research and development to help Britain reach net zero. “There is no correct answer as to whether we stick with tradition or look at innovative new materials,” explained Twinn. “Both have their merits and indeed we should embrace both for what they have to offer. Right now, we can’t eliminate the use of concrete for example, but should look to de-carbonise it.” “The increase in development for bio-tech solutions, such as mycelium products is growing exponentially,” said Jones. “This is a whole new world of product development being pioneered by chemists and biologists who are passionate about realising a net zero future.” Claiming the responsibility Ultimately, there is no clear answer about who is solely responsible for reaching net zero, but by working together, the industry will stand a better chance of meeting our net zero carbon targets. Collaborating and investing in innovative technology and educating stakeholders will help the industry see the value in a net zero future and strive towards it in a unified way. If the built environment industry is not united in its attempts to reach net zero, it will never be achieved. Without the government and local authorities, material manufacturers are not incentivised to create innovative materials. If architects do not have the knowledge about newly developed alternative materials, they will not include them in their designs. Construction workers and engineers must have an understanding about how to effectively install the materials to ensure they function effectively. Working together and learning from each other is the key to successfully reaching net zero — this is where Futurebuild comes in. Futurebuild cultivates cross sector collaboration, connecting the specifiers, decision makers and disruptors with innovative brands. This diverse audience makes Futurebuild the essential platform for net zero pioneers to launch disruptive technologies and share new ways of thinking to inspire transformational change and pave the way for a sustainable built environment. To find out more about pioneering construction technology or sign up to our next event, visit our website https://www.futurebuild.co.uk
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed how the new-build market has been helping to satisfy heightened demand for larger homes during the pandemic. Warwick Estates analysed new build property sales records from the Land Registry since the start of the pandemic at the end of January last year based on the type of property purchased by new-build homebuyers. The results show that some 61,054 new homes have been purchased since the start of the pandemic and while flats remain popular, it’s detached homes that account for the largest level of market activity. 21,129 detached new builds have been bought across England since 31st January last year, accounting for 35% of all sales, the highest proportion of all property types. However, despite the growing EWS1 crisis, flats remained the second most popular choice with 19,225 sales accounting for 31% of market activity. Semi-detached homes were the third most popular, accounting for 23% of all sales, with terraced new build homes accounting for just 11% of market activity. This detached new-build property preference was prevalent across all regions of England but one. In London, new build flats continue to dominate the market accounting for a huge 93% of all new-build sales since the start of the pandemic. Detached homes (1%), Semi-detached (2%) and terraced houses (4%) accounted for just 7% of market activity between them in total. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “There’s no denying that our lengthy stint under lockdown restrictions has spurred greater demand for larger homes and this is no different within the new build sector. In fact, detached homes have been the driving force within the new-build market in all but one region since the start of the pandemic and this change in homebuyer preference is something housebuilders will need to consider going forward. That’s not to say that flats are no longer popular and they account for the second-largest level of transactions. Of course, they will always be more prevalent in an area such as London where not only is space limited, but buyers prefer the lifestyle offering that comes with living in a managed development of flats.” Table shows total new build transactions since the start of the pandemic (31st January 2020) and the number and percentage of transactions attributed to each property type Location All New Build Transactions Detached Homes Detached as a % of all Semi-Detached Homes Semi-Detached as a % of all Tarraced Homes Terraced as a % of all Flats Flats as a % of all EAST MIDLANDS 5881 3059 52% 1787 30% 750 13% 285 5% EAST OF ENGLAND 7260 3068 42% 1658 23% 832 11% 1702 23% LONDON 9099 88 1% 151 2% 367 4% 8493 93% NORTH EAST 2952 1609 55% 740 25% 331 11% 272 9% NORTH WEST 7863 2905 37% 2053 26% 799 10% 2106 27% SOUTH EAST 10394 3488 34% 2734 26% 1355 13% 2817 27% SOUTH WEST 5854 2279 39% 1559 27% 952 16% 1064 18% WEST MIDLANDS 6033 2486 41% 1508 25% 740 12% 1299 22% YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER 5718 2147 38% 1606 28% 778 14% 1187 21% ENGLAND 61,054 21,129 35% 13,796 23% 6,904 11% 19,225 31% Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid Records 31st Jan to June 2021 (latest available) excluding property types listed as ‘other’ and including new build transactions only
NATIONAL contractor The Input Group has started work on site at St Edmunds Catholic Academy with an extensive multi-million-pound expansion of three school buildings. Located in Compton Park Road, adjacent to the Wolves Academy and training ground in Wolverhampton, The Input Group was appointed by the academy to carry out vast double and single storey extension and refurbishment works to existing structures across the campus. This includes doubling the size of the dining area with a single storey extension and refurbishment, alteration works to the sports hall, creating a two-storey additional classroom space, the refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing areas to form supplementary science labs, a staff room, and lecture theatre as well as all associated external works. Chris Monk, managing director at The Input Group, said: “We really enjoy working on education projects and supporting the learning environment of the next generation, so this is a really exciting, flagship scheme for The Input Group team and we’re very pleased to have commenced works on site. “The project spans the entire campus, with extensive expansion works giving the school much needed additional space, especially when it comes to teaching areas – which is certainly required post Covid.” Project manager, Paul Greaves added: “Logistically, the site will present some challenges as it shares an access road with neighbouring homes and the training ground. However, since we started on site last week everyone has been incredibly friendly and accommodating, which has created a really nice working environment. We’re therefore looking forward to cracking on with construction and reaching the next milestone.” The Input Group has also designed and provided all the safety signage for the site to ensure there is clear wayfinding for the campus and surrounding area, especially when the students arrive back at school in September. The design team, alongside The Input Group, includes architecture firm CBP Architects, principal designer GNA Surveyors, M&E consultant I.E.B.S, and structural engineers Moran Structural Consultants. The works are due to be completed by March 2022. To find out more about The Input Group, please visit www.inputgroup.co.uk or contact marketing@inputgroup.co.uk.
Premier Forecourts and Construction, a specialist in forecourts and diverse construction projects, has appointed a new finance director as the company experiences a period of substantial growth after pivoting its business towards the electric vehicle charging market. Rebecca Cook has been promoted to director after serving as a finance controller with the company for over two years. Cook has a total of 27 years’ experience in finance and accounts, having previously held finance roles within well known organisations, including Bevan & Buckland and South Wales Police. Cook’s career has also included teaching AAT and ACCA accountancy qualifications, as well as A Level business and Finance/Business to degree level, at several educational institutions in the South Wales region: Neath College, Coleg Sir Gar and Swansea Metropolitan University. Cook’s own academic achievements include BTEC National and BTEC Higher Diplomas in Business and Finance, AAT Qualification, CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountant – ACMA, CGMA) and also a teaching PGCE/PCE. The new role will see her taking overall responsibility and accountability for finance, procurement and commercial activities with the Swansea-based construction company. Rebecca Cook, newly appointed finance director at Premier Forecourts and Construction, said: “My career goal was to become a finance director, and it’s very exciting to take on the role at a time of growth and positive change with Premier Forecourts and Construction. The company is now at the forefront of launching electric vehicle charging points for clients like MFG, BP and Shell, and we very much see this as the future of the business. “I feel very honoured to be recognised by the board of directors and given this opportunity. Premier is a very hard-working company which upholds its values, especially that of putting people first. I’m thankful for all the support I’ve had from the board, my fellow managers and the office staff. I plan on learning more about the different processes that happen on site and start working on preparing commercial and financial strategies that align to the overall aim of the company.” Steve Evans, Premier Forecourts and Construction managing director, said: “We are delighted to be able to promote Rebecca to the role of finance director during this exciting period for the business. Rebecca’s hard work and dedication over the two years she has been with us, coupled with her impressive working background and vast experience in finance, means she has become a highly-valued member of the team. Her passion for accounts and confidence in making decisions has meant she was the ideal choice to lead the finance department.”
Construction managers, investors, and job site contractors have a lot on their plate. Between organizing workers and keeping projects on track, job site security is a totally separate headache, but it’s still incredibly important. Managed video surveillance is one of the best ways to secure your job site against unwanted loss or damages, and yet, not a lot of people even know that live video monitoring services are a thing. Today, we’re going to define managed video surveillance and look at how it helps you protect your assets and mitigate risk on the job site. If you’re interested in how live video monitoring services stack up against other security assets, we talk more about that here. What is Managed Surveillance? Managed Surveillance is a more advanced version of live video monitoring. For standard surveillance systems, you rely on something like CCTV and recorded footage, or a small on premises security detail watching a limited number of feeds from around your construction site. With managed surveillance, you can expand the network of cameras, employ more advanced technology, and rely on a centralized team of trained security personnel keeping watch over your assets on a 24/7 basis. Usually, this is accomplished by hiring in a third-party security company that specifically offers managed video surveillance services. This helps you mitigate the cost of expensive surveillance tech, while also giving you access to a fully trained, contract based surveillance security team. Why Managed Surveillance Over Other Surveillance Setups? There are two main reasons to invest in managed surveillance: Compared to the equivalent level of security, training, and equipment in-house, it’s significantly more cost effective It’s one of the most effective security measures available in terms of broad coverage security You can essentially sidestep the expense associated with setting up your own security system and personnel with all the associated training, salaries, cost of equipment and so on. This makes managed surveillance one of the most cost effective forms of security available based on resource commitment alone. Managed surveillance is also particularly effective because it combines several elements from other security solutions in a more successful capacity. Think of managed surveillance as CCTV on steroids, with a whole trained security team watching the feed around the clock, ready to respond to threats, alert on site personnel, or contact authorities as soon as any kind of suspicious activity is detected. Utilize Managed Surveillance in Construction Site Security Now, let’s dig into what makes managed surveillance such a successful security solution. In most cases, it’s still best to use a variety of security measures to better defend your property against risk or accidental damages, but we’ll look at how surveillance works to enhance every aspect of security. Better cameras and surveillance equipment Compared to CCTV or localized live feeds, most managed surveillance services incorporate newer technologies that do more than simply provide and record a video feed. In some cases, a surveillance team might employ thermal imaging technology to counteract bad lighting or inclement weather, and many services are moving towards solar-hybrid camera power backups to provide consistent uptime. In both cases, this helps site managers be more aware of what’s going on at their job site, even when nobody is there in the middle of the night. The increased surveillance capacity also helps mitigate on the job risks, catching accidents and preventing additional damage by immediately alerting someone when accidents do happen. More strategic application of surveillance tools One of the major benefits for managed surveillance service is the training and security expertise of the team providing the service. In order to provide the best surveillance, a security team needs to develop a solid understanding of your job site. That means highlighting vulnerable or high value areas, recommending additional security measures as needed, and setting up the surveillance system to maximize coverage. This process of strategic security planning can make surveillance even more effective, by predicting where incidents are more likely to occur, and setting up cameras and potentially supplementary security measures to prevent or discourage those incidents. Always on, always staffed monitoring component Finally, the real major difference that sets monitored surveillance apart is the fact that it’s an always-on, 24/7 process staffed by professional and experienced security personnel. For example, there may be a centralized hub where personnel are constantly monitoring live feeds for your property. This security team is trained to recognize and respond to threats appropriately, and some services may even offer forensic video evidence collection and review to further protect your assets. As a single package, this always-on human element combined with improved camera and surveillance tech is what makes managed video surveillance such an effective security measure. Of course mixing in additional measures, like on-site guards or physical barriers can only improve the safety of your property. Why is Managed Surveillance Perfect for Construction Job Site Security While managed surveillance is a great asset for any kind of property or security application, it’s particularly well suited for construction sites and industrial areas because it affords a high level of coverage alongside flexible use cases. Construction sites suffer from a number of specific issues that can make security a difficult task: Limited access to power supplies Huge square footage that needs to be secured A variety of high value areas that need protection Complicated schedules and interaction by workers Limited Access to Power Many construction sites aren’t fully outfitted with access to a power supply, which can make other forms of security difficult. For example, alarms, lighting, and CCTV all need a reliable power source, otherwise they’re essentially just plastic stapled to the wall. Managed surveillance, and more specifically, the investment in solar powered cameras and tech means that you don’t have to worry about power issues. Your property will be safe and secure, even if the power goes down. Huge Square Footage A lot of construction sites are big. That means you’re stretched thin relying on security guards, physical barriers, or motion triggered alarms. With surveillance cameras, it’s much
Block Out the Sun While sunlight can add picturesque natural lighting to certain areas of your home, it also stands to increase indoors temps, especially during the summer months. Needless to say, the hotter your home gets, the harder your air conditioning has to work – and the harder your AC has to work, the more you can expect to pay in utility costs. With this in mind, you should take active measures to keep indoor sunlight to a minimum. Fortunately, there are a number of easy – and cost-effective – ways to go about this. For starters, you can outfit your windows with thermal curtains. Also known as “blackout curtains,” these curtains are composed of much thicker materials than standard window dressings. This ensures that they’re well-equipped to block out sunlight and seal in cool air. As an added bonus, thermal curtains can also prove convenient during the frosty winter months, when they can help seal in warm air and keep cool air at bay. In other words, thermal curtains are far from a seasonal investment. If you’re not keen on the idea of replacing your current window dressings, look into purchasing blackout screens. Per the name, these screens are designed to block out sunlight. Additionally, most blackout screens can be effortlessly applied to windows and are affordable on even the tightest budget. However, while they tend to be slightly less expensive than thermal curtains, blackout screens are unlikely to last nearly as long. Although some screens may last as long as several years, most of them aren’t designed to last forever – particularly the stick-on variety. Speaking of which, if this is the type of screen you purchase, just know that once you’ve removed it from its respective window, you probably won’t be able to reapply it. Install High-Quality Ceiling Fans Good ceiling fans can be a tremendous boon to your summertime cooling efforts. Not only can they work in tandem with your central air conditioning system, they can also function as useful cooling aids in their own right. To truly get the most out of your ceiling fans, make sure to install at least one fan in every area of your home, as this will help ensure even distribution of cool air. You can also enable your fans to produce a downward-flowing cool breeze by setting their blades to rotate counterclockwise. When searching for the right ceiling fans, just remember that not all fans are equally obliging. To ensure that you don’t wind up with the wrong fans, limit your options to fans that have received positive consumer reviews, feature a variety of user-friendly settings and can be installed and adjusted with ease. Take Advantage of Nighttime Temps If the temperatures in your neck of the woods tend to get much cooler overnight, you should consider using this to your advantage. Once the sun goes down and the temp starts to drop, switch off your AC, open some windows and allow your ceiling fans to distribute the cool air throughout your home. In addition to giving your air conditioning a break, this will enable you to enjoy your evenings in comfort without having to worry about how much such comfort stands to cost you. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love summer. Optimal travel conditions, ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and family gatherings are just a few of the great things the season has to offer. However, by the sake token, you’d be equally hard-pressed to find someone who relished the exorbitant home cooling costs that summertime brings. So, if running your air conditioning 24/7 is no longer financially tenable, put the previously discussed pointers to good use.