Baseline Report for the Future Fens: Flood Risk Management programme is now available Covering the Fens within the River Great Ouse catchment, the programme aims to build a common understanding of the challenges ahead Phase 1 of the flood risk management work started three-years ago to develop a shared understanding
Work has begun on a multi-million pound ambulance service hub for West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) in Sandwell. Leading property developer Stoford is delivering the 76,000 sq ft purpose-built hub, the largest hub of its kind in the country, which will eventually house about 350 operational ambulance staff. Contractor McLaren
The employee-owned business has utilised its team of in-house experts to source the sustainable future of bottle packaging. Flexi-Hex sleeves are produced from 85% recycled paper and can be easily recycled after use, supporting the environmentally conscious technology. The pinch top box ensures a completely plastic-free design by eliminating the
When the market is hot, buyers are hungry, and properties move fast. When the market is less than ideal, some extra work may be necessary to attract potential buyers to available listings. New development and construction are no exception to this situation. Regardless, developing a system to reach potential buyers
THE ISLAND Quarter, Nottingham’s largest redevelopment project, has announced its latest project partners, which will help take the high-profile site forwards. The Conygar Investment Company PLC – the developer behind the scheme – has chosen a mixture of local and national contractors, designers and consultants to partner with, who are
In the UK construction industry, physical health is of paramount importance. It is common to see prominent reminders about physical safety, and yet there are less prominent risks that make construction one of the deadliest professions. Every year, more construction workers die from suicide than from falls. Putting the right
Dura Products launches new scheme to reduce waste and encourage material reuse Sustainable construction innovators, Dura Products, have today announced the launch of a new scheme to combat construction and demolition waste (CDW), of which the UK generates over 60 million tonnes per year[1]. Its groundbreaking Hire, Reclaim and Reuse
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Ventilation specialists S&P UK has released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural
Eddie Higgins joins to manage major speculative logistics development scheme at Bellshill. Knight Property Group has expanded its project management team with the appointment of Eddie Higgins as Construction Project Manager. Eddie brings around 26 years site engineering and project management experience with leading companies within the Scottish construction sector,
We do not agree that security is always 100% protected by these safety and security developments, i.e CCTV but we have come a long way and the technology is vastly improved from its induction in the 1960’s and it is certainly a huge deterrent and aid in catching perpetrators. Not
Baseline Report for the Future Fens: Flood Risk Management programme is now available Covering the Fens within the River Great Ouse catchment, the programme aims to build a common understanding of the challenges ahead Phase 1 of the flood risk management work started three-years ago to develop a shared understanding of the flood risk challenges in the Great Ouse Fens of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Future activity will build on this baselining work to develop flood management options that can deliver flood and drainage infrastructure needed for future generations. This work is delivering on key commitments to the Fens as featured in the National Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy published in 2020. With one-third of the Fens currently below sea level, the area has a network of flood protection assets that are owned and managed by different organisations. Much of this infrastructure is nearing the end of its design life and will soon need significant investment. With the increasing effects of climate change, flood infrastructure is key in providing water resources, environmental, navigation and wider amenity services. Fens flood infrastructure is also important within the Oxford-Cambridge arc in enabling some of the fastest growing places in the UK to maximise their economic potential. The organisations involved in Phase 1 either own or are responsible for the area’s flood risk assets. These assets include: 138 pumping stations 24 sets of sluice gates 95km of coastaldefences and 405kmof river embankments. The Baseline Report is part of the first of the programme’s three main phases. Scenarios have been developed to describe the ‘do nothing’ and ‘do minimum’ approaches for the next 100 years across a huge geography of approximately 300 flood assets. These are owned and operated by more than 40 risk management authorities. In this area a third of land is currently below sea level and this will double by 2100 with rising sea levels. Paul Burrows, Environment Agency spokesperson for Future Fens said: “The Fens is a complex environment that has been heavily engineered over hundreds of years. Understanding how the large systems of assets work together to provide protection from flooding is difficult and being able to articulate this to inform future flood infrastructure choices is even more challenging. “That is why our early focus has been on ‘baselining’ and I am delighted that our collaborative report is now available and that ADA (The Association of Drainage Authorities) are hosting it on their website. “This work showcases the flood infrastructure within the Great Ouse Fens, explores the economics of a do-nothing and do-minimum scenario and gives a high level overview of how current government flood funding policy would play out. It presents the initial asset management and investment challenge ahead. “The next steps are to bring it to life through visualisation tools and develop the scope for the appraisal of the long-term choices for flood protection and resilience as climate change takes hold and society’s wider aspirations for the Fens become clearer.” Rob Wise, the National Farmers Union East Anglia Environment Adviser said: “The NFU has been pleased to be working with the Environment Agency and other partners on the Future Fens project given the vital national importance of food production in the Fens. “Across the Fens as a whole the food chain is worth over £3 billion and employs 80,000 people. It is crucial that this strategic UK asset and the people who are part of it are protected from future flood risk. “The project has already produced tangible benefits in suggesting new ways to value these assets to maximise government funding, but there are important conversations to be had about filling the remaining funding gaps identified in the report.” Benefits and future funding To better understand the funding position, the project has looked at the Government’s Partnership Funding policy strategically and also worked with the National Farmers Union to create an improved approach to valuing agricultural land against the traditional method. Key findings in the report are: £17.1 billion worth of benefits from the current flood risk management measures; A further £5.3 billion of benefits to the local economy over the next 10 years; £1.8 billion investment needed over the next 100 years to sustain the current standard of service from the existing flood risk management assets; To meet this level of investment there is an additional funding requirement from beneficiaries of flood infrastructure of between £611 million and £946 million, with eligibility between £722 million and £1.1 billion of government Flood Risk Management Grant in Aid funding. (NB costs are present value) Next Phases The final elements of Phase 1 will be to work with others to develop the scope for Phase 2. Phase 2 will be a long term adaptive plan for flood infrastructure in the Fens. This will build on the approaches outlined in the National FCERM Strategy and appraise the flood infrastructure choices available for decision makers and prospective funders. What happens in the meantime? Phase 2 will start to work on a long term plan. Tactical plans have been developed for the continued management of existing flood assets between now and 2031/32. These plans identify that around £230m of capital investment is required. Report availability A copy of the Baseline Report and a Summary document can be downloaded from the Association of Drainage Authorities website
Work has begun on a multi-million pound ambulance service hub for West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) in Sandwell. Leading property developer Stoford is delivering the 76,000 sq ft purpose-built hub, the largest hub of its kind in the country, which will eventually house about 350 operational ambulance staff. Contractor McLaren Construction is now on the seven-acre site in Shidas Lane, Oldbury, and aims to complete the hub, which will also include a facility for the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), fleet maintenance and vehicle preparation areas, the Trust’s Education and Training Academy and central stores, next spring. It will be open in time for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, which kicks off in July 2022, and will be used as a staging point for the Trust’s preparations for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Tony Nash, Director at Stoford, said: “This is a significant development for West Midlands Ambulance Service and an important national infrastructure project, so we’re pleased to have made a start on delivering the scheme, just a short time after we received planning approval. “As a former quarry site that was undeveloped for 15 years, it is a technically challenging building project, so receiving financial support from the West Midlands Combined Authority to make it viable has been crucial in getting it ready for development.” Craig Cooke, WMAS Director of Strategic Operations, added: “This is an important hub for the Service not just for the Commonwealth Games but for our ongoing ability to deliver high quality care to the people of Birmingham and the Black Country. “It will also see a major upgrade in our central stores facility, which has played such a vital role during the pandemic, but also a big step forward in facilities for our Education & Training team and the Hazardous Area Response Team. “Talking to staff, they are excited to see the new building developed and we will be working with them to ensure it fully meets their needs.” The development is the first of its kind for funding partner Assura, as it continues to expand the range of local healthcare infrastructure it supports for primary care networks and NHS Trusts. Jonathan Murphy, Assura CEO, said: “This hub will provide a much-needed new base for emergency health services in the West Midlands. We are particularly proud to be playing our part in such an important piece of the health infrastructure that will sit around the Commonwealth Games, at a time when the eyes of the world will be on the region.” WMAS serves a population of 5.6 million people and covers an area of more than 5,000 square miles, comprising Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and the West Midlands. The hub will achieve the BREEAM Excellence rating and will accommodate 365 parking spaces, including ten disabled spaces and 70 ambulance spaces.
The employee-owned business has utilised its team of in-house experts to source the sustainable future of bottle packaging. Flexi-Hex sleeves are produced from 85% recycled paper and can be easily recycled after use, supporting the environmentally conscious technology. The pinch top box ensures a completely plastic-free design by eliminating the need for tape while providing a safe and secure fastening. Used in conjunction, these products provide excellent protection while minimising environmental impact. The unique honeycomb-inspired structure features expandable hexagonal cells, demonstrating professional engineering and innovation alongside a sensitivity to the environment: ideal values to convey to your customer. Flexi-Hex products significantly enhance the unboxing experience, which is crucial for securing repeat customers and establishing a reputable brand image. Hexagons are renowned for their structural strength. Hence, this sleeve is perfectly tailored toward delicate items including glass bottles, ceramics or homeware. The cellular construction intertwines optimal strength with incredible flexibility, enabling you to compress the sleeves for space-saving storage before opening them up to protect your goods. This versatility is tailormade for guarding against any knocks and drops that can occur in transit, granting your goods an exceptional level of protection. Balance environmental values, excellent functionality and maximum value for money with the Flexi-Hex sleeves, complete with the additional pinch top box. For more information on Kite Packaging please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
When the market is hot, buyers are hungry, and properties move fast. When the market is less than ideal, some extra work may be necessary to attract potential buyers to available listings. New development and construction are no exception to this situation. Regardless, developing a system to reach potential buyers is crucial for your success. This article will review several strategies to help you market new development and construction properties to increase your reach and find your next buyer. What challenges do new developments and construction properties face? The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a report showing that over 1.5 million new homes completed construction in March of 2021. This represents huge potential, especially in markets with high home values. But new developments and construction may have additional barriers to selling compared to pre-owned housing. For example, while people constantly buy homes, there is a stigma attached to purchasing new construction developments because buyers can be afraid that new developments still need to have the kinks worked out. On top of that, while the market for homes is large, finding buyers interested in new development may take some extra digging. Different ways to market new development and construction If you want to reach potential buyers for new housing, having a strategic method will increase your odds of success. Below are several ideas of how to approach marketing to potential customers about new development and construction. Professional Photography Every phone is capable of taking pictures good enough to send to your mom or best friend. But to attract real attention to your new development and construction, you should highly consider using a real estate photographer. A professional photographer has an eye for beautiful and aesthetically pleasing shots. And if their goal is to sell a property with a few photos, they will get you photos that are worth a thousand words or more. But don’t just be happy with some simple photographs. To really wow prospective buyers, consider going the extra step with drone photography which provides an incredible new perspective of the property. Virtual Tours and Staging Things are ramping up again in the U.S. after the height of COVID-19, but virtual tours and staging have become a valuable tool in the realtor toolbelt. Virtual tours allow potential buyers to view homes without needing to physically step foot in the property. The tour can be viewed on phones, tablets, computers, or even in virtual reality. Virtual staging is a service to enhance the appearance of vacant properties by adding photo-realistic, virtual furniture throughout the property in photos or in virtual tours, similar to how you might purchase furniture to put in a property while doing showings. Virtual experiences for potential buyers will only become more popular, so buying into this practice now will help attract new customers. Build your brand You may work for a large agency or be a self-employed realtor. Regardless, building your brand is essential for reaching potential buyers. This may start with building a website, sharing success stories, and even blogging about different home buying experiences. Beyond that, take a deep dive into understanding your online presence. How are people finding your service and what might increase clicks on your business website? Consider location-based targeted advertising through Google or other platforms. This service will allow you to advertise content to targeted locations. More specifically, this will allow you the ability to market new construction and developments to potential local buyers. Build your network Beyond branding yourself online, make your local presence known. Visit local cafes, stores, mom-and-pop shops, and leave a few business cards with them for customers to take. Talk to local construction crews working on-site, go to trade shows, and attend local or virtually local meetups. The more people see you and get to know you, the more likely they will be to remember you and recommend you to those in the market. Social media can make a big impact on your brand. Do you only have a website? Why not utilize some free advertising by making a Facebook page of your business. Make a Twitter account and engage with other local accounts to increase your following. Post new construction and property notices on your Instagram account (with professional photographs, of course). Build empathy The best way to help potential buyers is to connect with them on a personal level. Empathize with your client and it will make the buying and selling experience much better. Think about this from the buyer’s perspective. Maybe this is the first home they’ve ever purchased, or maybe their last home was destroyed in a fire. This is important information to know and consider when assisting someone with the buying process. It may also help you understand and relay important information and considerations of buying new developments and construction. Show that you have the buyer’s best interest at heart (and you should). Tell them, honestly, about the neighborhood they’ll be moving into. Be their advocate in the buying process. Final thoughts Now that you’ve considered several ways to market new developments and properties, hopefully, you can start developing a plan to improve your practice. Although housing markets may wax and wane, a successful strategy to connect to, network with, and empathize with potential buyers to help them purchase new construction and developments will make the process much easier.
THE ISLAND Quarter, Nottingham’s largest redevelopment project, has announced its latest project partners, which will help take the high-profile site forwards. The Conygar Investment Company PLC – the developer behind the scheme – has chosen a mixture of local and national contractors, designers and consultants to partner with, who are all working together to transform the southside area of the city. Engineering consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes is the latest Nottingham-based company to join the list of project partners – which already includes other local businesses such as CPMG Architects, Leonard Design and Macaulay Sinclair – having been appointed to provide mechanical and engineering services for phase two of the development. Also announced are Quartz Project Services as quantity surveyors for phase 1A, Canal Turn, and Studio Egret West, which will be responsible for placemaking and the public realm. Work is now well underway on the first phase, 1A, of the development, which will regenerate the canal basin area on the southwest corner of the site – with two restaurants, an event space and rooftop terrace, as well as a bandstand and public spaces. Planning for the second phase, 1B, was submitted in January for a UK first ‘cohesive use’ scheme, featuring a combination of hotels, co-working space, apartments, green public realm and leisure facilities. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “The Island Quarter is one of the biggest city centre regeneration schemes in the UK, and for that reason it’s vital that we have a team on the site that has both the skills and local knowledge to make it a success. That’s why we want to partner with local companies, like Couch Perry Wilkes, because they’re as passionate about the area as we are. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the city, especially now that spades are in the ground and progress is being made every day. We want to make sure The Island Quarter is a community the people of Nottingham can be proud of, and to do that it’s crucial to work with a wide variety of partners that will each bring unique and exciting ideas to the table.” Ashley Cowdrey, director at Couch Perry Wilkes, said: “We’re thrilled to have been appointed to work on such a prominent scheme. The whole development is really exciting, not just because of its scale but the fact it’s brimming with potential to widen the city centre as an attraction. “This area has sat derelict for years, so it’s great to see Conygar breathing new life into it with aspirations that pull so many elements of Nottingham’s character together – hospitality, residential, business, public realm and more – it feels like a concentrated snapshot of the city and, as a local business, we can’t wait to see it move forward.” The Island Quarter masterplan, which received outline planning approval in April 2019, has been designed with a full lifecycle of uses, ranging from student housing, office space and community living. It will introduce a network of public realm and access routes for pedestrians and cyclists, with green spaces at the heart of the plans. Daniel Gillespie, director at Quartz Project Services, said: “We are extremely excited to be part of a project that encapsulates the city’s reputation of foresight, individuality and creativity so perfectly. We’ve already made several visits to the site to conduct a number of valuations and are monitoring the development’s progress closely. Being involved in a scheme like this will be extremely rewarding for us and we look forward to being part of a project that’s going to bring so much to the city of Nottingham.” David West, founding director at Studio Egret West, said: “This is a unique opportunity to work on a project that’s going to have such a massive impact on the city as a whole, by evolving a distinctive, pioneering and landscape led neighbourhood. We’re entering a new era of placemaking and that’s why a collaborative approach is going to be so important for The Island Quarter to ensure it meets the post-pandemic needs of our cities. We want to bring as many people as possible on this journey with us and help create a destination the people of Nottingham will enjoy for generations to come.” The landmark development will create hundreds of jobs, strengthen the local economy and help to elevate Nottingham as one of the UK’s key regional cities for investors and employers. Project managers WES Consultancy and investors Lavignac Securities are also both leading on the delivery of the project on behalf of Conygar Investment Company.
In the UK construction industry, physical health is of paramount importance. It is common to see prominent reminders about physical safety, and yet there are less prominent risks that make construction one of the deadliest professions. Every year, more construction workers die from suicide than from falls. Putting the right resources in place to support employees will be the driving force behind real change, thinks Keith Oakes, Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHeQ) at exclusive Cat® parts and equipment supplier, Finning UK & Ireland. There’s a reason why mental health in the construction industry is known as the ‘silent epidemic’. When we think about mental illness, it is easy for our minds to run to the most extreme of conditions — the sickest of the sick. What we sometimes fall to account for is the majority of milder cases, experienced by one in four people in the UK every year. A recent survey suggests that 64 per cent of construction workers want better health and wellbeing support from their employers, and there are a wide range of actions employers can take to help to tackle this crisis. These actions start with the very basics — education. All workers, no matter their role in a business, need to be able to recognise the early warning signs of mental health issues as well as knowing what support is available and how to access it. Finning provides ongoing mental health training, such as Starting the Conversation and Managing the Conversation courses, which began in 2018. These courses aim to break down the negative stigma around talking about mental health and give managers and employees the resources and knowledge to provide real and actionable support to their colleagues. Although there is currently no mandatory legal requirement for offering mental health support, Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) are also present throughout the company, providing confidential face-to-face support onsite for anyone suffering. MHFAs, easily identifiable to all by their “Talk to me!” email banner, have been trained to recognise someone going through a mental health issue, and to guide that person to the relevant help that they need. One such MHFA is Julia Winter, occupational health nurse at Finning. When a new employee starts, they are invited to a free health surveillance with Julia, who runs a series of baseline physical health assessments including hearing and eyesight checks, which are repeated every two years. Mental health and wellbeing is a critical part of Julia’s role; alongside the healthy mind, healthy body sessions she runs across the UK branches, her relationship and rapport with employees means that she is the usually the first port of call for anyone struggling. David Fletcher, who’s worked in the New Prep department at the Finning Cannock branch for five years is one of many employees who’ve benefitted from the mental health services that Finning provides. Fresh faced in the role with only three months under his belt, David started to experience pins and needles symptoms, and with support from his boss, gave Julia a call. “Looking back now, I’ve always had mental health issues, but it was never discussed openly. It came to the forefront when I knew my marriage was coming to an end, and I think I was in denial. As the doctors ran tests to determine the cause of the pins and needles, which turned out to be a symptom of anxiety, I got chatting to Julia at work, and I just broke down and told her about everything that was going on at home. “From then on, we talked regularly, pretty much every other day. She didn’t always talk back, she just let me say what I needed to say. Julia really went above and beyond her role and became a firm friend, and I know that I can talk to her about anything. A lot of my close friends are people I work with every day, so the lockdown has had a big impact on my mental health. I wanted to get back to work as soon as it was safe to do so, so Finning did everything it could to make that happen.” The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immeasurable impact on all of our lives, and none more so than Lindsay Fuller, receptionist at the Leeds branch, who recently accessed Finning’s mental health services when her husband fell ill with coronavirus. “My story is not an easy one to tell. In late March, my partner Glen became ill with COVID-19 and was admitted to hospital. He fought hard and the medical team were amazing, but seven days after he was admitted, Glen passed away, aged 62. As he had tested positive for coronavirus, I also had to self-isolate, which meant that our families couldn’t visit me or have any physical contact. “I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t had been for Julia. We spoke every single day. It didn’t matter if I was sobbing or screaming, if I called during her lunch break or in the middle of the night, she would be on the other end of phone. She really understood that grief isn’t on a schedule and that was absolutely invaluable. “The support from not just Julia, but the wider Finning family has been outstanding. I’ve had messages of support from colleagues from all across the business, and the senior leadership also video called to send their wishes and to ask whether there was anything they could do. When I was ready to return to work, they ensured my area was COVID-19 safe and always checked in to make sure I felt secure and happy at work. It honestly kept me sane.” David and Lindsay used the services provided by Finning at different points in their career. Regardless of their time in the role, both had access to the same resources and support, even though David had only been in his job for three months. “Finning made sure that, even though I was suffering, my
Dura Products launches new scheme to reduce waste and encourage material reuse Sustainable construction innovators, Dura Products, have today announced the launch of a new scheme to combat construction and demolition waste (CDW), of which the UK generates over 60 million tonnes per year[1]. Its groundbreaking Hire, Reclaim and Reuse initiative enables its recycled plastic kerbing and drainage solutions to be rented for a fixed length of time before being reclaimed and used again on future projects. Dura Products have been manufacturing sustainable road kerbs since 2003, and have always prioritised the green credentials of its sourcing, manufacturing and installation. However, 32% of waste sent to landfill comes from the demolition of buildings[2], and so to tackle this, the company has extended its focus to the recyclability of its solutions. This spurred Dura Products to launch its Hire, Reclaim and Reuse scheme, which allows contractors to rent and use its products for a fixed length of time before being reclaimed and used again on future projects. It aims to keep polymer waste in use for as long as possible to create a multiple recycling loop system that has a compounding positive effect on the environment. The scheme will be essential for short-term construction projects as it will provide an eco-friendly solution to the inevitable waste produced by the demolition of temporary infrastructures. Instead of discarding the materials, every Dura Product unit will be recovered and re-used. Steve Bennett, Managing Director of Dura Products, commented: ‘We’re incredibly excited to launch this first of its kind initiative! The scheme will be adopted within our environmental policy, developing over time with each and every uptake. In order to propel the construction industry towards a more sustainable future, we must be eco-conscious at every stage of development to ensure we get the maximum life out of the resources we use. The solutions we provide fit this criterion, and our new scheme, aimed at extending product life ever further, is the next logical step for us to take.’
Building ventilation systems reduce the spread of airborne diseases by half compared to natural ventilation for schools, offices and hospitality venues, research shows. Ventilation specialists S&P UK has released the findings of detailed research carried out by their European R&D centre aimed at shedding light on whether mechanical or natural ventilation should be used to improve air quality and curb the risk of contracting airborne diseases such as Covid in indoor environments. With lockdown easing and the UK vaccination rollout on track, more businesses, office managers, headteachers and other building owners are seeking clarity from the government, the scientific community and industry bodies on how best to minimise the spread of Covid in an enclosed space. Covid is spread via infectious aerosols which can stay airborne for long periods, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. The study by S&P UK found mechanical ventilation systems reduce by half the risk of Covid aerosol transmission compared to natural ventilation, such as opening windows and doors which has the added disadvantage of letting in noise, pollution and cold air in the winter. The detailed scientific modelling and analysis by S&P researchers considered three scenarios: schools, offices, and bars/restaurants. After four days in a classroom of 24 students wearing masks and an infected teacher, the accumulated probability of infection is 21% with natural ventilation – or five pupils infected. With mechanical ventilation, it is 9% – or two pupils infected. With no ventilation, seven contract Covid. If a student is positive rather than the teacher, the numbers are halved. In the winter, opening windows for 10 minutes every hour results in a 4.8% infection rate, meaning four cases after day four – twice as high as mechanical ventilation. Meanwhile, in a restaurant with 35 unmasked customers but a masked infected waiter, with natural ventilation, two customers are infected in the first two hours, and two more are infected over the second two-hour period, giving a total of four cases. With mechanical ventilation, it is halved to one infected customer in each two-hour period, or a total of two. With an infected customer instead of the waiter, with open windows, three customers contract Covid by the end of night. With mechanical ventilation, it is one. In an open plan office with 40 workers where one is infected, with everyone wearing masks, there are four infected employees after four days with natural ventilation, and two with mechanical. With no masks, it rises to 13 with open windows and eight with mechanical. There are long-held concerns that most offices only recirculate existing air with air-conditioning units, rather than pumping in fresh air using mechanical ventilation systems. The authors, S&P Global CFD (computational fluid dynamics) engineers Albert Carrasquer and Jordi Fabregat, concluded: “[Mechanical] ventilation can reduce more than twofold the infection risk when compared to open windows. If a lower infection risk is desired, installation must deliver higher ventilation rates than those defined by [British] standards.” The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) says building ventilation should be “integral to the Covid risk mitigation strategy for all multi-occupant public buildings and workplaces”. Alex Finch, managing director of S&P UK, said: “Our research shows that investing in mechanical ventilation systems must be considered by anyone who helps to manage any indoor space, whether that’s a headteacher, an office manager or a restaurant owner. “That’s because our evidence is clear: mechanised ventilation systems are twice as good as natural ventilation when it comes to reducing the risk of spreading airborne diseases like Covid-19 indoors. “There’s plenty of generic advice on ventilation but so many sections of society are crying out for official and clear-cut guidance on the exact best ventilation for typical scenarios. We also recognise that the failure to distinguish between indoor mechanical or natural ventilation as part of this ongoing debate is not surprising as it’s a complex and new challenge. “But we believe our research, inspected by our technical teams, will add some weighty evidence for specialists across the H&V sector and can help provide clarity for those who are looking to actively improve their work environments to minimise transmission of Covid.” S&P UK Ventilation Systems is the UK subsidiary of leading global manufacturer Soler and Palau, and is the sole UK distributor of commercial, industrial and residential fans and ventilation systems. Operating nationally, S&P UK Ventilation Systems is a leading fan, air movement and ventilation systems provider offering over 10,000 products along with technical sales support and consultancy. It is a subsidiary of Spanish owned S&P Group, whose global operations span over 90 countries and includes major R&D centres in Europe, Singapore, USA and Brazil.
Eddie Higgins joins to manage major speculative logistics development scheme at Bellshill. Knight Property Group has expanded its project management team with the appointment of Eddie Higgins as Construction Project Manager. Eddie brings around 26 years site engineering and project management experience with leading companies within the Scottish construction sector, including Ogilvie Construction and Stewart Milne. He will operate from the firm’s Edinburgh office and manage developments in the central belt of Scotland with initial focus being the development of Belgrave Logistics Park, the 14-acre former Devro site in Bellshill, which was acquired by Knight at the start of this year. His role will involve overseeing and managing the entire flagship 250,000 sq ft speculative development project, working closely with the design team and principal contractor. Site preparation is currently ongoing, with planning being submitted in June. Site works are scheduled to commence in September with completion in Spring 2020. Howard Crawshaw, Director of Knight Property Group said: “Eddie is a valuable addition to our experienced project management team and brings with him a wealth of experience in the construction sector. He is well respected and will add another dimension to our existing team given his background and many years of engineering expertise. He will manage the Bellshill project from the front-end to completion, bringing a specialism that will add real value and foster collaboration between the members of that team.” Eddie Higgins added: “I’m excited to be joining Knight and was impressed by the positive ambition of the company, along with the supportive and refreshing ethos. Belgrave Logistics Park is a major development project and my contracting background will be of benefit in ensuring that we deliver a successful project to bring to the Scottish logistics and industrial market next year.” The 47-year old is married with two children and lives in Perth.
We do not agree that security is always 100% protected by these safety and security developments, i.e CCTV but we have come a long way and the technology is vastly improved from its induction in the 1960’s and it is certainly a huge deterrent and aid in catching perpetrators. Not a day goes by without news of the theft, or even worst injury or even murder. and the question is how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones. The use of CCTV cameras and other forms of public security is now well advanced, so the question is: how do you protect yourself and your loved ones? Especially in your home, street, and business. We spoke with prodomtated and well respected CCTV experts from Leeds CCTV Direct who are the premier professionals when it comes to all things CCTV and secuirity and the new measures and sofesitcated equipment that is employed to take public, business and home security and safety with CCTV. This is what they told us. CCTV is Everywhere Now Every single incident is quite poissbly on a CCTV camera these days, so keep your eyes open, but the days of blurred images and blurred image quality are over. CCTV can therefore be used as an important tool for identifying offenders, and not just for crime prevention. Such as hit and run drivers. But if the workplace for keeping an eye on employees and even to help mishaps in high accident areas. Crime Provention is a Huge Advanatage It has been observed that most criminals leave the crime scene, before a crime has been committed due to the prevalience and deterrent of CCTV cameras being spotted “spooked” is the word many have used and they are indeed running away. In some cases, surveillance cameras have come to the rescue by containing information from video clips, but some remain unsolved due to a lack of identification. For example, in London and other major cities in the U.K, a number of high-profile crimes such as murder, rape and robbery have been caught on CCTV cameras. If there were a device that continuously recorded prohibited activities, the crime rate itself would fall dramatically. Since most illegal activities only take place at night and not all cameras can do so in low light, which is why cameras and night vision devices are becoming increasingly popular, some markets have night vision cameras. Night Vision CCTV with infrared is just such a device. Keeping Women Safe At Night Women’s safety is a much-debated issue in the United Kingdom, as women in our society are traumatized every day by harassment and assault. To be safe, we must protect not only ourselves, but also our families, friends, and neighbours. That is why our legal system has begun installing surveillance cameras and night vision devices in many cities to ensure that women are shielded. With a number of advantages, the importance of video surveillance in our lives has become priceless and irreplaceable. We will have a record of wrongdoing, so even if there is a mishap, we will be able to find the perpetrator. CCTV Helps Peoeple Sleep Soundly CCTV cameras are therefore an invaluable tool in a society that is constantly grappling with anarchy and monstrosity. People can sleep peacefully at night, parents can relax when they send their children to school, college, or University, and women can wander around the city knowing that someone somewhere is watching and recording all the annoying activities that criminals cause.