Barriers and insulating components on strategic locations can help you reduce the impact of wildlife on your power system. When specified and installed correctly, power components can reduce fire risk, lower power outage instances and safeguard the environment for over four decades. Industrial power distributors and utility companies have to
Thetford, UK: Above-the-neck PPE specialist Centurion Safety Products, has announced a partnership with Swedish helmet safety technology company Mips, which will see the British manufacturer incorporate the Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) patented helmet-based technology within their market-leading Nexus helmet. When the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology launches in
A lovely roof and beautiful home exterior combination can strengthen a house’s charm for years. That’s why it’s crucial to look for the right blend which will suit your home’s distinctive personality. Whether you’re installing a new roof or replacing the ones you have, read first the following four tips
Peter Johnson, chairman of Vivalda Group, the UK’s largest independent distributor of non-combustible facade products, has welcomed additional powers granted to the safety body charged with maintaining cladding standards in the wake of Grenfell Tower. It was confirmed this month (January 2021) that the new regulator for construction products, will
Learn about the importance of specifying and sourcing third party approved cables to implement effective electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures. As demand for electric vehicles and charging systems becomes greater than ever, safeguarding the longevity of the cable is vital to ensuring safety once installed. Read on to find out
DIRFT III Features Specialist Rail Traverser Mechan is supplying a multidisciplinary main contractor, Winvic Construction, with a bespoke rail traverser for a new £29 million Intermodal Rail Freight Terminal that is being constructed for Prologis at its DIRFT intermodal logistics park in Northamptonshire. The rail depot equipment specialist is one
SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of leading housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), will release its first annual report to unveil new research into shared ownership. The research has been undertaken together with Cambridge University and the findings will be discussed during a virtual roundtable on Wednesday 3rd
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has issued revised guidance for Home Improvement companies and sub-contractors operating in England during the current National Lockdown, following confirmation from Government officials of a new interpretation of the guidance for in-house selling during the pandemic. The general Guidance on the subject of sales,
Brickfab, a leading manufacturer of prefabricated products for the UK House Building industry, is building itself a greener future. The innovative business, based in Pontypool, which employs sixty people designs, manufactures and supplies prefabricated arches, brick specials, chimneys, GRP canopies and panels to the major house builders throughout the UK. Brickfab Managing Director, Nigel
Maynards Europe will oversee the initial stages in one of the most important regeneration projects in the UK from 2021 onwards. Work is set to begin in January following the acquisition of the 100-acre Avlon Works pharmaceutical processing site in the heart of Avonmouth Severnside by the Vancouver-based Epta Development
Barriers and insulating components on strategic locations can help you reduce the impact of wildlife on your power system. When specified and installed correctly, power components can reduce fire risk, lower power outage instances and safeguard the environment for over four decades. Industrial power distributors and utility companies have to face a prevalent problem where animals interfere with high voltage lines and power substations and cause bushfires that have a serious effect on the environment. Such power incidents may be a result of the following: • Fires resulting from the ignition of animal nests and other debris; fires at pole tops as well as the electrocution of animals and birds • Fire induced by vegetation when live conductors clash with vegetation • A clash of conductors, when adjacent conductors come into contact and generate travelling arcs, sparks and lead to conductor damage • Pollution flashover (airborne environmental pollutants and bird guano) where pollutants build up on insulated components. They then become conductors where the current flows through, increasing the chances of a flashover, flame tracking and arcing Vegetation and wildlife can cause phase-to-earth-faults when they form conductive paths, which connect the power equipment to the ground. They can also cause phase-to-phase faults that occur from the collision of the adjacent phases or getting connected via debris or wildlife (wire clashes or animal conduction). This often results in the production of molten metal particles that cause fires by igniting dry vegetation. These risks may be lowered by preventively installing TE Connectivity’s (TE) Raychem Wildlife Asset Protection solutions. What are TE’s Wildlife Asset Protection solutions? They are insulating barriers and covers that lower a fire risk on substation and overhead line components. They are both reliable and retrofittable. Wildlife and Asset Protection products are always at a risk of premature failure and degradation due to environmental factors, which in turn may cause fire. Thus the selection of materials used in producing these products is very important. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked at the selection stage. Particularly important is that the polymers used are formulated to endure harsh environmental conditions without material breakdown for decades. The importance of choosing the right Wildlife Asset Protection Solutions Most utility companies find investing in systems to reduce the risk of bushfire from wildlife-related causes more of a reactionary or discretionary effort. However, these components indeed help enhance reliability in power connections as well as power safety, which would result in a significant payback of the power providers as they prevent fire catastrophes. The costly and far-reaching implications include: • Injury to people and sometimes, fatalities • Extensive damage or total loss of the assets in the power grid • Power outages and service interruptions (SAIFI and SAIDI) that not only disrupt communities and residential homes, but may also lead to dangerous conditions in hospitals, learning institutions, and industrial centers, among other places • Environmental pollution that may threaten wildlife, livelihoods and power infrastructure personnel, especially if potentially hazardous components are burnt in the process • Irreparable damage to horticultural and agriculture assets from the fire • Legal implications that result in litigations and penalties from the fires • Negative publicity on mainstream and social media outlets that not only damages the reputation of the company but also lowers the shareholder value. Choosing Materials for Wildlife and Asset Protection Installations The level of effectiveness of a Wildlife and Asset Protection product, and thereby its level of fire protection, varies based on the type of material it is made of. It is important that the manufacturer makes its products using materials formulations that can handle the harsh conditions substations and overhead lines are regularly exposed to for extended periods of time. These include mechanical stress, pollution build-up, high voltage stress, elevated temperatures and pollution-induced arching. If you do not select components made from the right performance material, you could end up increasing ignition sources. With this in mind, consider the following performance characteristics, as explained in selecting Wildlife and Asset Protection components. 1. Resistance to Erosion and Tracking (TERT) TERT measures the extent of tracking resistance of a material. This is its ability to resist ignition and surface arching when subject to high-stress environments. The ASTM D2303 abrasion test and a step method using 2.5kV to 3.25kV are the common methods to determine TERT. If the tracking resistance is inadequate, the material is susceptible to degradation over a given period. This, in turn, leads to the breakdown of the insulation, propagation of the flame and production of sparks. With the test standard in mind, the material with an excellent TERT resistance is one that can withstand more than a single Step TERT after the abrasion method has been applied. 2. Ultraviolet (UV) Resistance This is the ability of a material to withstand prolonged UV exposure without failing over a long period. This is because the materials will be outdoors all the time. Materials that do not have excellent UV resistance tend to degrade over time This gives a leeway to environmental pollutants to build upon the cracks, thereby increasing the chances of ignition, arcing and tracking from conduction from these pollutants. Scientists demonstrate UV resistance by the use of ASTM G154, UV-3, Cycle 3 test that takes at least 1,000 hours. However, to determine if the polymer at hand can perform for over 30 years, the materials are UV tested for at least 5,000 hours. 3. Thermal Endurance This is the measure for a material’s ability to resist deforming or melting (maintain mechanical integrity) in environments with sustained high temperatures. If a material can withstand melting, there is a reduced risk that it might drip down on dry grace or other vegetation and trigger fire. There are two methods used in testing thermal endurance in wildlife and asset protection components: 1. Thermal Index IEC 60216/IEEE 98. Here, the material is subjected to temperatures of105°C (221°F). If it can withstand these temperatures over 20,000 hours, it can last over 20 years. 2. Thermal Aging ASTM D2671that takes 750
Thetford, UK: Above-the-neck PPE specialist Centurion Safety Products, has announced a partnership with Swedish helmet safety technology company Mips, which will see the British manufacturer incorporate the Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) patented helmet-based technology within their market-leading Nexus helmet. When the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology launches in March 2021, Centurion will become the first UK manufacturer to offer Mips helmet technology in a hard hat and be the first company globally to incorporate the new Mips ‘cradle’ rotational impact protection system into their helmets. In contrast with helmets which only use a foam liner to reduce impact shock, the Centurion Nexus already features advanced protection in the form of a liner and six-point cradle system, which acts as a secondary layer, reducing impact shock further and helping to reduce risk for acquired brain injury. The addition of Mips helmet technology will further enhance the protection by decreasing rotational motion otherwise transferred to the head from certain oblique impacts. Injury statistics show that our head is likely to hit the ground at an angle when we slip, trip or fall. Also when we receive an impact to the head from a falling object or debris, off centre, rotational motion may be introduced to the head. The Mips Low Friction Layer allows the head to move inside the helmet (10mm – 15mm relative motion in all directions) on certain angled impacts, which can redirect the harmful rotational motion otherwise transferred to the head. Studies show that the human brain is 6–7 times more sensitive to rotational motion than linear motion. Impacts that generate rotational motion can cause strain to the brain tissue, which may lead to minor or severe brain trauma. Concussion injuries or even more serious brain injuries are commonly caused by rotational motion of the brain. Mips helmet technology is based on 25 years of research and is already popular in the sports market where many skiers and cyclists consider Mips a must-have feature in their helmets. Combining the advanced industrial safety standards and superior comfort of the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology will create a market-leading helmet protection system. Nick Hurt, CEO of Centurion Safety Products says: “As leaders in above-the-neck PPE, our customers trust us to be at the forefront of head protection innovation so we are constantly looking at how we can ensure our products not only meet relevant safety standards but exceed them. “We are therefore excited to become the first company to incorporate the Mips cradle rotational impact protection system into our helmets. The Mips system will be featured in our market-leading Centurion Nexus helmet, which is already a stand-out product thanks to its advanced safety standards.” Max Strandwitz, Mips CEO says: “We are very proud to announce this partnership, Centurion is a trusted well-established British PPE Manufacturer of over 140 years, who share our values and lead in occupational head protection. We know that construction workers are particularly at risk for accidents, especially head injuries. “For people who take a high risk because of their occupation, the best possible helmet at work should also be a priority. Protection against rotational motion should be as important for safety helmets as airbags and seatbelts are in cars,” Despite the widespread and mostly mandatory use of hard hats, construction and industrial workers are still at risk for severe head injuries including concussion. They can suffer concussions from the impact force from a slip, trip or fall, as well as from, for example, falling objects. Be part of head protection history and join Centurion and Mips for the unveiling of the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology on Wednesday 24th March 2021. Register here: https://centurionsafety.eu/save-the-date-and-be-part-of-head-protection-history/ Watch Centurion, CEO, Nick Hurt and Mips CEO, Max Strandwitz discuss their new partnership: https://bit.ly/3ooRwlc
A lovely roof and beautiful home exterior combination can strengthen a house’s charm for years. That’s why it’s crucial to look for the right blend which will suit your home’s distinctive personality. Whether you’re installing a new roof or replacing the ones you have, read first the following four tips for choosing the best roof colour to guarantee you’re selecting the right shade for your home. 1 Search for Real-Life Models The optimal way to begin your search for the best roof colour is by checking existing roofs in your neighbourhood. Likewise, you can google images of charming ceilings to kickstart your creativity, but remember nothing compares to observing the real thing. Additionally, you’ll be seeing excellent colour combinations and those which are unsuitable. When you go around your area, you’ll also discover the prevailing theme in your location, which can be a huge factor in your decision. Typically, expert roofer recommend homeowners to select a shade that merges with the rest, but, at the same time, shines on its own. 2 Consider Your Home’s Climate Do you reside in an area that perpetually showcases hot weather? If your home features an attic, take note that the shade of your roof shingles can influence the attic temperature by roughly 20° to 40°. This fact can significantly impact the cooling or heating expenses of your home. Remember that dark shingles draw in heat and help houses remain warm during wintertime. On the one hand, light shingles block the sunlight and reduce the temperature when the weather is hot. 3 Determine Whether to Revitalise or Tone Down Colour Meanwhile, if the exterior of your house features a variety of shades, it’s best to stick to low-key hues to defuse the splash of colours. But, if your home exterior is somewhat on the minimalist side, choosing a revitalising shade can do wonders for your structure. If you need help deciding whether to tone down or select a revitalising paint for your roof, consult a local roofing company near your area. 4 Match Colours Lastly, when choosing the best roof colour, keep in mind to match your shingles’ shade with the hues present in the trims, stones, tiles, stucco, or siding of your home. As an example, a black or dark grey roof combines well with a blue or grey home. On the other hand, a blend of cream or brown shingles will look excellent in a tan, brown, or cream-coloured house. In case you own a yellow, green, or red home, these shades are more adaptable, and you can accentuate them with grey, brown, or black. Final Thoughts Choosing the best roof colour can be a challenge when you consider all the available factors. Some homeowners prefer envisioning the result to help them make a decision. They try to visualise their roofs with metal, shingles, or tiles. Then they picture their preferred roof colour after the installation. Exploring many alternatives can be stressful. Hence, picturing the outcome can, in effect, remove unsuitable choices. Please note that while some contractors recommend applying trendy shades to your roofs, those colours will not be attractive anymore in the future. Understand also that roofs last between 20 to 30 years. If you’re planning to market your home in the following 20 years, it’s best to adopt a subdued design. Remember, the majority of homeowners favour timeless charm rather than trendy styles for their houses.
Peter Johnson, chairman of Vivalda Group, the UK’s largest independent distributor of non-combustible facade products, has welcomed additional powers granted to the safety body charged with maintaining cladding standards in the wake of Grenfell Tower. It was confirmed this month (January 2021) that the new regulator for construction products, will operate within the Office for Product Safety and Standards department. Granted an additional £10m of funding, this will give the new watchdog more responsibility to conduct its own independent product-testing when investigating cases of suspected malpractice. Cladding firms must now ensure that their products are safe before being sold – which includes testing cladding and associated products such as insulation against new, tougher safety standards. Reacting to the latest announcement from Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, Peter Johnson said: “This is definitely a step in the right direction for the cladding industry. Damning evidence heard from the Grenfell enquiry is liable to cast a long shadow of suspicion across the entire construction sector and so any additional quality assurances must be fully supported. Without independent and transparent testing and quality checks, nobody wins. “Indeed, my own company has lost several competitive contract pitches over the years to products where the fire test performance of a cheaper material is highly questionable owing to gaps in the certification. I would like to believe that such fast and loose practice is now a thing of the past. Certainly, this measure goes some way to stamping it out for good, thus providing what the industry and wider society demands – proven safety.”
Learn about the importance of specifying and sourcing third party approved cables to implement effective electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructures. As demand for electric vehicles and charging systems becomes greater than ever, safeguarding the longevity of the cable is vital to ensuring safety once installed. Read on to find out more about how you can be confident of quality. Driven by the launch of the UK government’s ‘10 Point Plan’, a new date of 2030 has been set to phase out the use of petrol and diesel automobiles. Even greater reliance is now being put on installing safe and efficient electric vehicle charging points and nationwide systems, within is reduced time frame. Removing all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 2050 is an overarching target that is critical to the plans. This in turn drives the requirement for more environmentally friendly, effective infrastructures. As fossil fuel energy production continues to be phased out there is a significant need for electrification, particularly concerning transport networks. The imminent surge in demand for electrified systems require high quality cable products that can perform efficiently to satisfy operating demands. Market installation drivers and priorities The transportation sector is experiencing significant challenges, which are set to continue over the next decade. The race now, is focused on integrating EVs as a primary choice for road users, as opposed to their existing petrol and diesel counterparts. Policy is driving the requirement for charging facilities to become more accessible, whilst also offering a reliable and efficient service. As more EVs hit the road, users demand charging services that match their usability expectations against the speed of today’s traditional refueling stations. Reliance on electric power to operate many EVs means that the demand for charging points needs to rapidly increase, to make facilities accessible within both public and private settings. In order to meet demand, it is estimated that 2.8 million charging points are planned to be required across the United Kingdom by 2030. Charging cable specific impacts EV cables themselves can also be impacted by several factors including installation, component failure, weather conditions, and even user damage. These are key challenges to ensuring that the cable products installed are safe and efficient for long term use within their infrastructure and can function as expected within demanding conditions. Testing and certification of cable products is vital to minimising the risk of failure, resulting from the above factors. Worldwide, there are two standards in existence in relation to EV charging cables, they work to reduce risk to safety. Within Europe EN 50620 is most prevalent and specifies design, dimension, and test requirements for halogen free cables with voltage ratings up to 450/470 V. From a broad international perspective, the IEC 62893 series exists, which is comprised of several different parts and also specifies the construction, dimensions, and test requirements of EV charging cables. Independent, third party testing and approval bodies, such as BASEC, undertake rigorous checks to assess an EV charging cable product’s ability to meet the requirements of safety and quality in line with the standards. Smart connection integration of charging units Smart charging systems are a relatively new technology developed to maximise efficiency within electric vehicle charging units. Commonly referred to as intelligent charging, they include a data connection which is shared between an electric vehicle and a charging device, allowing them to communicate with each other and the wider systems. The smart system provides the charging station owner the ability to closely manage how much energy to input into the EV. This helps to optimise energy consumption, ensuring the grid is not overloaded at peak times. Safe, reliable cables that have gained third party approval are vital to installed smart charging systems, confirming they are powered by high quality products. The use of substandard cables can lead to electric current loading, based on the power output of the EV device or overall load requirements, and higher levels of conductor resistance. Generating excess heat which could lead to problems, accelerating the deterioration of cables and impacting the EV system’s ability to perform efficiently. EV charging point accessibility The accessibility of EV charging infrastructures on a nationwide scale to meet net zero targets is one of the biggest challenges the industry currently faces. There is a huge risk of cable products entering the market that have not been properly approved. Cables that have gained independent, third party approval are able to prove that the cable performs sufficiently. This in turn helps to provide confidence to specifiers and installers that the cable has met the relevant quality, safety and performance requirements. Acting to verify that the claims of conformity made about a cable product, by the manufacturer, are valid. Considerations for EV charging cables and their supporting infrastructures Rapid developments around the globe are underway to launch new technologies in support of the widespread implementation of EVs and their charging infrastructures. Power is being generated in new and sustainable ways to reduce impact on the environment. Smart technologies are also being integrated, as they allow devices and multiple data systems to communicate with each other. Offering greater control over the transfer of power and maximising renewable energy generation efficiency. There are many benefits to smart monitoring such as avoiding peak charging times and minimising charging costs. To safeguard the implementation of EV charging infrastructures it is crucial that cables are thoroughly tested for quality and safety, whilst also ensuring they will be reliable and efficient once in operation. Comprehensive testing as part of an EV certification programme is designed to assess pressure, heat shock, ultraviolet resistance, water immersion, and flame retardance. Each of these factors are closely monitored to determine a cable product’s performance under different circumstances, and in turn minimising the risks to those installing and using the cables in the end charging application. Summary There are substantial efforts required to ensure the required number of charging points are installed in time to meet the UK’s ban on petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. With rapid
DIRFT III Features Specialist Rail Traverser Mechan is supplying a multidisciplinary main contractor, Winvic Construction, with a bespoke rail traverser for a new £29 million Intermodal Rail Freight Terminal that is being constructed for Prologis at its DIRFT intermodal logistics park in Northamptonshire. The rail depot equipment specialist is one of few UK firms with the ability to design and build traversers, holding the record for the largest installation in the country at the Port of Felixstowe. Known as DIRFT III, the project comprises a 344-hectare logistics site, which will include a state-of-the-art rail freight terminal. Mechan’s traverser will be situated outside the terminal building, at the end of 9km of new lines, being constructed by Winvic, who is also responsible for installing three new bridges and a 79,000m² terminal slab. The traverser will be used to move Class 66 locomotives in a perpendicular direction to the tracks, so they can return to service after loading/unloading. This has allowed the terminal length to be shorter, as a head shunt isn’t required. Working closely with the Winvic team, Mechan has designed the multi-rail traverser to suit the specific conditions at DIRFT III. It spans 28 metres, has a capacity of 140 tonnes and comprises an access platform, plus loco buffer to prevent trains overrunning. Lindsey Mills, Mechan’s sales manager, said: “We are really pleased to secure a contract for the DIRFT III traverser, after successfully completing a competitive tendering process and we look forward to working with Winvic on this key project. Although the sheer size of a traverser makes each installation a challenge, they are actually a great space saving device, allowing trains to be transferred between tracks easily and efficiently.” Once the design process is complete, Mechan will begin construction of the traverser at its headquarters. It will be dismantled for delivery to site and is due to be installed and commissioned in April 2021, before training is provided to end user, Prologis. Winvic’s Rob Cook, Civils and Infrastructure Director, added: “As rail traversers aren’t that common in the UK, this is a particularly exciting element of an already significant and complex scheme. Mechan’s reputation is second to none and our design teams have been working very well together to get to the stage where the firm is almost ready to begin the manufacturing process. Installation is planned for the end of April and we are looking forward to seeing this specialist piece of equipment – that is central to the compact nature of the terminal’s design – being installed on site.” Winvic commenced construction of DIRFT III in June this year and it is expected to be completed next summer. The intermodal rail terminal will enable 24, 775-metre trains to carry freight in and out of the logistics park, while the concrete yard will provide space for the storage of approximately 460 containers. Each Mechan traverser is built to order and incorporates the latest technology, ensuring it is adaptable enough to handle future trains that are expected to be longer than they are today. For more information, telephone (0114) 257 0563, visit www.mechan.co.uk or follow the firm on Twitter, @mechanuk. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.
SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of leading housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), will release its first annual report to unveil new research into shared ownership. The research has been undertaken together with Cambridge University and the findings will be discussed during a virtual roundtable on Wednesday 3rd February at 10am. The virtual roundtable will be chaired by property writer and editor Stacey Meadwell, and the panel will consist of Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at MTVH; Dr Gemma Burgess, Professor at Cambridge University; Jon Lord, Managing Director at Metro Finance; and Ben Fry, Head of Housing Investment at Gresham House. The discussion will focus on the key findings from the report, offering an overview of the shared ownership sector in 2020 and covering topics such as a more in depth look at the supply side of the market; management issues such as arrears; responses to the pandemic; and upcoming changes to shared ownership. Attendees will be invited to submit their questions to the panel on the day, and encouraged to give feedback throughout the roundtable in a series of polls. Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, comments: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic last year, we saw our highest level of interest from customers hoping to use shared ownership in 2020, demonstrating a clear demand from consumers for an affordable route onto the property ladder. Yet there is an obvious gap in the market in terms of accurate, recent data surrounding shared ownership and the issues faced in the sector. “Our inaugural report looks at the shared ownership sector over the past year, allowing both us and external organisations to draw conclusions that will help to improve shared ownership not only for customers, but for lenders and investors. This is the first report in recent history that evaluates data from all perspectives in the industry, which we feel will not only be hugely beneficial to us, but to all affordable housing providers. I am looking forward to discussing the findings of the report with the panel, which will offer a varied insight into shared ownership and contribute to our understanding of the affordable homes sector.” Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at Cambridge University, comments: “This research underpins many existing beliefs within the affordable homes sector, with respondents agreeing that shared ownership is a positive offering for homebuyers and an attractive prospect for investors and lenders. However, there are some concerns highlighted by those who took part in the research surrounding the upcoming changes that the government will introduce this year. The virtual roundtable discussion will bring together different perspectives, reflecting the range of respondents surveyed, and will allow the audience to offer their opinions on the research results.” SO Resi’s virtual roundtable discussion will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 3rd February from 10am-11am. Those interested in attending the roundtable or receiving a copy of the report can register here www.shorturl.at/hknuV or email matt@building-relations.co.uk. To find out more about SO Resi call 0208 607 0550 or visit www.soresi.co.uk.
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has issued revised guidance for Home Improvement companies and sub-contractors operating in England during the current National Lockdown, following confirmation from Government officials of a new interpretation of the guidance for in-house selling during the pandemic. The general Guidance on the subject of sales, published on the Government’s website, as detailed below remains the same and is unlikely to change for the next few weeks. “Door-to-door sales should not take place, and sales activities should be conducted remotely (such as by phone, online, or mail).” The slightly more relaxed interpretation of the rules around the restrictions may allow for sales people to enter the home, if necessary but it is vital for all individuals who are entering a property to ensure they are following the Safe Guidance and social distancing guidelines. John Agnew, GGF Managing Director commented on the change, “Government officials have recently confirmed directly to the GGF that if selling and surveying in England cannot be done remotely, then companies and their sub-contractors can conduct pre-booked in-house sales and surveys, if carried out within the Safe Guidance.” The GGF recommends that consumers are offered a remote appointment in the first instance and that advises companies, who cannot sell or survey remotely to ensure they do so, in a controlled and measured manner. John Agnew added, “The GGF recommends that any in-house selling activity should start in February to ensure a responsible and gradual industry approach.” The GGF also advises that all individuals entering a home to carry out work should use the NHS Test and Trace App which can be downloaded from the NHIS website https://covid19.nhs.uk/. On the subject of door to door canvassing, the Government is clear that this activity should not be undertaken at present and this has been underlined by the GGF. In a statement issued to its Membership, the GGF highlights that local authorities in England can issue a prohibition notice on businesses. The GGF’s Primary Authority Partnership confirmed “the (current) level of risk to public health met the requirements for local authorities to be able to issue prohibition notices to businesses as allowed by the regulations”. Companies should be mindful of this possible sanction if they ignore the advice and continue to canvass. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for enforcing COVID secure guidance in terms of how you are working. The HSE has the power to issue an enforcement notice on any business that is not operating in accordance with COVID secure guidance creating a potential risk to public health and safety. With the restriction on in-house selling slightly relaxed, and if the pandemic health statistics show the situation is improving, the GGF expects the Government to ease the restrictions gradually over the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, the GGF has urged companies who can continue to operate, to do so responsibly and within the spirit of the guidance. John Agnew summarised, “The published GGF and Government Safe Guidance has not changed, all companies who can continue to operate should ensure they follow the safe guidance to safeguard their employees and customers, and to protect the NHS and save lives.” To access the very latest GGF and Government guidance please click on the links below: GGF COVID Latest News Page GGF COVID Guidance Table GGF COVID Guide for Manufacturers and the Supply Chain GGF COVID Guide for Installers GGF COVID Guide for Homeowners
Brickfab, a leading manufacturer of prefabricated products for the UK House Building industry, is building itself a greener future. The innovative business, based in Pontypool, which employs sixty people designs, manufactures and supplies prefabricated arches, brick specials, chimneys, GRP canopies and panels to the major house builders throughout the UK. Brickfab Managing Director, Nigel Watkins, says the firm recognises the role it must play in reducing its carbon footprint by putting the environment at the forefront of its business. It has added to its green credentials by installing 170 solar panels at its factory in Pontypool. Mr Watkins said: “We take a proactive approach to dealing with all matters relating to Brickfab’s environmental impact. To that end and to reduce our carbon footprint even further, we have installed a total of 170, 290v solar modules which will give us an installed capacity of 49kWP. We expect to make savings of 25 tonnes of CO2e per year. It helps everyone at Brickfab to have a greater awareness of the importance of looking after the planet and climate.” The business expects to recover the costs of installing the solar panels over the next few years through the energy produced by the equipment. Brickfab received an interest free loan from The Carbon Trust for the installation which had made the project financially viable. The system was installed by Hereford-based Caplor Energy. The installation comes in the wake of Brickfab’s other green initiatives which include the use of cutting-edge delivery vehicles to help reduce fuel use, streaming and segregation of factory waste with significantly less going to land fill and the recycling of plastic and cardboard. Mr Watkins said: “We have a focus on reducing energy use across the business and working towards ISO 14001 environmental standard. We could well see further solar panels installed on our other factories, in the future.”
Maynards Europe will oversee the initial stages in one of the most important regeneration projects in the UK from 2021 onwards. Work is set to begin in January following the acquisition of the 100-acre Avlon Works pharmaceutical processing site in the heart of Avonmouth Severnside by the Vancouver-based Epta Development Corporation (EDC) in December. Maynards, a global leader in industrial auctions and liquidations, is to manage the asset recovery and demolition of the former pharmaceutical plant. The project is so vast that the asset list runs to 144 pages and Maynards expects to put together a sales catalogue of more than 5,000 lots, to include “everything above ground”. Once the site has been cleared, EDC propose creating a modern, master-planned warehousing and logistics park comprising c.1,850,000 square, a project that is set to be a major contributor to economic development, job creation and regeneration for the region centred on South Gloucestershire. The Avlon Works were operational for 50 years from 1969 to 2019. In 2016 AstraZeneca sold the site to Avara Pharmaceutical in the hope of securing the operation’s future, but Avara fell into administration and the entire site was put up for sale. “With the complete contents of the 100-acre facility for sale, Maynards is offering a unique opportunity to purchase complete pharmaceutical production lines or individual assets,” says UK Managing Director Daniel Gray. “The spares inventory alone is valued at more than £2.5 million, but add to that site support equipment, site infrastructure, offices, labs, warehouse equipment, workshops, data centres, building structures and much more, and it is easy to see just how substantial and significant this offer is.” All the equipment has been professionally cleaned and purged, and Avara staff have been retained to assist in answering technical questions, providing data and assisting with sales and equipment removal from site. Full data sheets of the complete inventory are available to interested parties. Among the equipment and facilities to be disposed of are: five Large-Scale cGMP API Plants, with 6-10m3 reactors, pressure filter, conical and centrifuge drying two Large-Scale Milling Facilities with Hosakawa mills cGMP Kilo Scale facility with 20-100L reactors four quality, two environmental, six chemistry and one analytical laboratories IMS Solvent Recovery Unit (Koch Modular Process) a biological wastewater treatment facility a combined heat and power plant extensive warehousing including cold storage offices, workshops, site services, facilities and internal transport throughout “The Avonmouth site has long been a major national distribution hub for its products, and so is perfectly situated for effective asset disposal, with additional nearby port connections,” said Mr Gray. Maynards Europe is part of the Maynards group of companies, a global enterprise launched in 1902 which pioneered the Industrial and Retail auction industry from the early 1950s. A formidable track record in asset disposal includes numerous blue-chip partnerships in the automotive, pharmaceutical, energy supply and other industries that have enabled the repurposing of highly specialised machinery and equipment. One of the company’s main focuses has been the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently that has included the dispersal of the complete contents of Recipharm’s Ashton-under-Lyne pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. As with that project, Maynards Europe will work with logistics partners offering turnkey solutions to relocate and recommission equipment from the Avlon Works site globally.