Innovative demolition specialists AR Demolition have used cutting-edge explosive technology to bring down structures at a Leicestershire quarry, in a UK industry first. Continuing its track record for pioneering new technologies, the company has used military-grade hypersonic “kick and cut” charges to bring down a large screen house at Croft
Mainstay Residential has announced a fresh appointment in the north west – expanding its presence into Manchester’s evolving Piccadilly neighbourhood. Mainstay will provide services to the area’s Paradise Wharf development, a trio of schemes – Junction Works, Whittles Croft and Jutland House – perched along the Ashton Canal and close
The Manchester-based developer and asset manager has created three businesses – Unify, Unify Energy, and CubicWorks – to overhaul the way it delivers facilities management, fit-out and utilities services to clients. Unify will provide a range of integrated facilities management solutions, including mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance, energy, cleaning
Many local high streets were struggling to retain shops even before the coronavirus pandemic struck, however a shopping and eating destination in South Yorkshire reports that it is at full capacity with all its units currently occupied. The Onyx Retail Park, built by Onward Holdings Ltd on the former Manvers
CJM Investment Ltd has secured planning consent from Trafford Council for the creation of a new 367-unit residential development in Trafford Park on the edge of the new Civic Quarter masterplan. CBRE’s Manchester development team is working with the developer to find a delivery partner for the prime residential scheme.
IFA2, National Grid’s fourth interconnector, can provide enough clean energy from France to power 1 million British homes, avoiding 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 emissions. By 2024, National Grid’s portfolio of interconnectors will provide enough zero carbon energy to power 8 million homes a year, avoiding a total of
The Green Quarter will deliver, or open up access to, more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined Southall and Hayes are set to benefit from a new public park for the whole community to enjoy from early next year at Berkeley West Thames’ newly-named development, The
Carpets are inexpensive yet great decorative pieces in every home. Carpets add texture and color to the space, and even make your rooms bigger and feel more open. You can basically make any room look and feel new by using the right carpet. Your carpets play a vital role in
Smart building technology essentially consists of a system of connected devices which can measure data from your building and transform it into usable insights and automation. Rather than relying on manual control of your facility management and maintenance systems, smart building systems do the hard work for you. The benefits
Morgan Sindall Construction has been named by the University of Salford as the preferred bidder to build the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre. The new Robotics Innovation Centre is part of the £2.5 billion Crescent masterplan, a 240-acre major regeneration scheme being delivered by the University, Salford City Council
Innovative demolition specialists AR Demolition have used cutting-edge explosive technology to bring down structures at a Leicestershire quarry, in a UK industry first. Continuing its track record for pioneering new technologies, the company has used military-grade hypersonic “kick and cut” charges to bring down a large screen house at Croft Quarry. Richard Dolman, CEO of AR Demolition, believes the project is the first time such charges have been used in the demolition industry, without the normal pre-weakening activity usually needed to bring a structure down. Mr Dolman believes the techniques can now revolutionise safety in the industry while minimising danger to on-site personnel. AR Demolition, which is based in Carlton near Market Bosworth, has been working at Croft Quarry since the start of the year after being contracted to complete decommissioning demolition by site owners Aggregate Industries. The explosives work was part of a joint project to demolish the 1,200 tonne screen house as well as 150 metres of conveyor belts at the bottom of the quarry pit. Designed by Wiltshire experts Alford Technologies, the kicking and cutting technique brings together two forms of explosive charge. Mr Dolman said: “No one has used this technology in UK demolition before. It was a project which has taken considerable forethought and planning and we are delighted with the results. “It’s a major stepping stone for us and, in my view, a huge moment for our industry. The fact that you can bring down buildings by severing steel without pre-weakening is a landmark moment. “Alford Technologies have been working on these theories for a long time but, until now, there has been typical reticence in our industry to adopt new technologies. “So I’m pleased to have been able to put the ideas into practice and find new ways of increasing safety in our sector. “It was our first opportunity to test the technology and we have learned lessons along the way. We’re now looking forward to using the method on future projects.” AR Demolition, based in Carlton near Market Bosworth, is making a name for itself as being one of the UK’s most forward-thinking and innovative demolition contractors. The company has invested in cutting-edge Kiesel machinery, while its sister firm AR Aggregates has also invested in two pieces of kit from German manufacturer Kleeman, in a joint bid to improve efficiency, economy and safety performance. Mr Dolman has also pioneered the use of debris protection frames and dust suppression techniques. The new relationship with Alford Technologies, based in Trowbridge, is the latest manifestation of AR Demolition’s mission to bring pioneering change to the sector. Roland Alford, managing director and son of the company’s founder and chairman Dr Sidney Alford, said: “We are proud to have worked alongside such an innovative contractor to have brought this technology into practical, commercial usage. And we look forward to working with AR Demolition on future projects. “We used our Dioplex charges to make a hypersonic blade which cuts through steel like butter, eliminating the need to burn and weaken steel beams. “When combined with the Wallhammer kicking charge to remove the columns, the speed of these military grade munitions means they are relatively easy to control. “Without the need to use human beings on weakening work, safety is greatly increased. If necessary, the charges can be placed by robots thereby removing the human element completely. “The demolition industry now stands to benefit from the evolution of scientific improvements which, combined with the vision of a man such as Richard Dolman, mean that we can shape the future of the industry and improve safety for everyone involved.”
Mainstay Residential has announced a fresh appointment in the north west – expanding its presence into Manchester’s evolving Piccadilly neighbourhood. Mainstay will provide services to the area’s Paradise Wharf development, a trio of schemes – Junction Works, Whittles Croft and Jutland House – perched along the Ashton Canal and close to the renowned Ducie Street Warehouse. The development will be managed under the company’s Integrated Property Management (IPM) portfolio – its holistic solution for higher-end properties with care delivered by an award-winning team. Mainstay’s Associate Director for the North West, Kate Magill, said: “The team is over the moon to have been appointed to manage Paradise Wharf. “On a personal level, I am particularly excited as I’m proud to call Manchester my hometown and have spent most of my working life managing properties in the area. Paradise Wharf has gained a reputation as one of the city’s gems and I intend to treat it as such.” The nearby Ancoats district, recently named as one of the world’s ‘coolest’ neighbourhoods to live in by both TimeOut and The Times, has led to a surge in demand for residential properties in the area. The 114-unit Paradise Wharf development is located close to both Piccadilly Station and the wider city centre – making it a prime choice for both commuters and residents. Mainstay was selected by Paradise Wharf Management Company (PWMCL) following a competitive tender process. The company will officially take post from 1 October. Paradise Wharf Management Company said: “We are really excited to have appointed Mainstay to manage Paradise Wharf. We were really impressed with the approach of Kate and her team. They bring some fantastic experience and have some great ideas to improve the development. We feel that Paradise Wharf is safe in Mainstay’s hands.” Mainstay Residential has experienced exponential growth across the north west, having been retained on Urban Splash’s Castlefield masterplan – including Burton Place, Moho, Timber Wharf and more – for a number of years. The company also recently announced appointments on McGoff’s Downtown scheme in Salford and Royal Quay in Liverpool. Its appointment on Paradise Wharf cements its status as one of the region’s largest and most active property management companies.
The Manchester-based developer and asset manager has created three businesses – Unify, Unify Energy, and CubicWorks – to overhaul the way it delivers facilities management, fit-out and utilities services to clients. Unify will provide a range of integrated facilities management solutions, including mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance, energy, cleaning and specialist cleaning, while Unify Energy will provide energy as a managed service to help occupiers across Bruntwood’s property portfolio to cut costs. Meanwhile, CubicWorks will offer construction, refurbishment and fit-out services alongside mechanical and electrical design and installation. Chris Oglesby, chief executive of Bruntwood, said: “We’re excited about these three disruptive ventures and their potential to shake-up the provision of FM and contracting services across the UK. “Organisations of all shapes and sizes expect more from their property than ever before and we know what it takes to deliver not just excellent spaces, but excellent experiences and services within them. “So, for us, Unify and CubicWorks are very much a part of our ongoing evolution as a group.” Bruntwood’s chief operating officer Richard Burgess will assume the role of chief executive of Unify. The new business unit employs 350 people, 250 of which have transferred to Bruntwood from its existing FM suppliers. Unify has secured 30 contracts so far, entering its first full financial year with an £8m order book as it continues to target occupiers of commercial office and public sector buildings, national retailers and industrial and logistics occupiers. Unify Energy will offer energy as a managed service and sub-metering to Bruntwood customers and other building landlords and property agents. Its chief executive is Sarah Martin, currently director of utilities at Bruntwood. The aim is to offer an alternative model to the single-meter system typical to multi-tenanted buildings, where landlords and agents have to split energy bills with occupiers based on square footage. Unify Energy, as a fully licensed supplier, can provide metered energy bills directly to each occupier instead, “giving customers and landlords a more accurate and compliant managed energy service”, Bruntwood said. Unify Energy will also explore opportunities on behalf of its clients for on-site energy generation, in line with Bruntwood’s goal of generating 30% of its energy on site by 2030. Meanwhile, CubicWorks will be headed up by three Bruntwood directors – Shan Khambata, Mark Spavin, and Mark Wright. The business will aim to “rip up the rulebook” and adopt a consultative and partnership-led approach to project management. “It is not your average construction refurbishment and fit-out company…more like a construction partner,” according to Bruntwood. The firm has been appointed by developer Bywater Properties to refurbish its £2m Northstar office scheme in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. It will also become a supplier to Bruntwood Works and Bruntwood SciTech. More than 50 employees from Bruntwood’s project contracting team have transferred into CubicWorks.
Many local high streets were struggling to retain shops even before the coronavirus pandemic struck, however a shopping and eating destination in South Yorkshire reports that it is at full capacity with all its units currently occupied. The Onyx Retail Park, built by Onward Holdings Ltd on the former Manvers colliery at Wath-Upon-Deane, is prime retail space within easy reach of the 94,000 local residents living within a 10-minute journey from the site. This shopping hot spot has attracted a cross-section of retail businesses, including SPAR convenience store, and famous fast food chains such as Costa Coffee, Domino Pizzas, Greggs the Baker, Subway and KFC. The excellent choice of successful restaurants and eateries is complemented by Coffee Street, Holy Cow Burger Co, Thai Garden and Onyx Fish Bar and Grill. Other retailers currently located at Onyx are: Online designer babywear business Forever Sewing, which recently snapped up the remaining vacant unit on the site, Vape HQ Manvers, Beauty at Heart, and Barnardo’s. Promoter of the site, Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors of Sheffield, said: “Now that lockdown restrictions are being relaxed, full capacity at Onyx Retail Park is a reflection of the confidence retailers have in this bustling shopping complex and the opportunities for them to prosper.” Onyx sits adjacent to a new development of 1,100 homes, while an average of 18,000 vehicles pass the site each weekday, according to figures provided by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The footfall created from this high volume of passing trade provides a strong customer base to the site, making it an ideal location for a wide variety of retail outlets. In addition to Onyx Retail Park, Onward Holdings also offers a range of logistics options to suit most budgets, together with additional value-added warehouse services. The different facilities that the company can supply will help businesses gain a vital foothold in the northern supply chain.
CJM Investment Ltd has secured planning consent from Trafford Council for the creation of a new 367-unit residential development in Trafford Park on the edge of the new Civic Quarter masterplan. CBRE’s Manchester development team is working with the developer to find a delivery partner for the prime residential scheme. Planning approval has been granted for the creation of the residential development on Skerton Road comprising 367 units which is designed across 5 blocks ranging between 5 and 10 storeys. The completed scheme will encompass 166 one-bedroom apartments, 118 two bedroom and 42 three-bedroom apartments which are accompanied by 41 townhouses ranging from one to three bedrooms. The masterplan includes the delivery of onsite parking, landscaped outdoor space, and a clubhouse in the centre of the development which will provide multifunctional space for residents to socialise and exercise, a nod to the site’s former standing as the home to the Northern Lawn Tennis Association. The 3 acre site is located in the heart of Trafford bringing together Trafford Bar and the highly anticipated 135-acre Civic Quarter masterplan which sets out Trafford Council’s 15 year plan to regenerate the area, the new Civic Quarter will bring forward 5 new neighbourhoods and a number of other landmark developments. The iconic sports venues of Old Trafford Football stadium, home to Manchester United, is less than 1 mile away and the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground less than 0.5 miles away by foot. Along with its superb location, the site has enviable transport links, residents will find Trafford Bar Metrolink station on their doorstep, connecting them to Manchester Airport, the City Centre and many of Greater Manchester’s towns. Trafford Council’s £13.4m cycling and walking route that will incorporate the UK’s first unique cycling junction bringing both Manchester City Centre and the vibrant suburb of Chorlton within easy reach is just 500 metres away and also, of note, Manchester City Centre is easily accessible via the A56 (Chester Road) plus a number of bus services which run throughout Trafford Park. The M602 accessed via the A57 is less than 5 minutes by car. In recent years, the area has experienced a significant and rapidly growing residential and leisure offering including Media City which comprises a 200-acre mixed use development and is the home to ITV, BBC and Kellogg’s, along with great restaurants and a vibrant social scene. John Dunlop, Senior Director in CBRE’s UK Development and Residential team, said; “Having been instructed to work with CJM on this key site in June, it is an excellent result for the team to have secured planning consent to bring it to life. The scheme is an ideal size, location and configuration for the current residential market and as such is set to attract strong interest from potential delivery partners. We are looking forward to engaging with interested parties and to seeing the scheme progress in due course.” Tim Groom from Tim Groom Architects added; “The design of the Trafford Bar project is so that it provides a great mix of homes centred on sense of community and neighbourhood and seeks to diversify the existing housing offering in the area. What sets the development apart from others is that the location is fantastic, offering a suburban lifestyle that benefits being just minutes away from city life and with its large open green space which includes the onsite “Lawn Club” it provides a real focal point for residents to the create their own community.”
IFA2, National Grid’s fourth interconnector, can provide enough clean energy from France to power 1 million British homes, avoiding 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 emissions. By 2024, National Grid’s portfolio of interconnectors will provide enough zero carbon energy to power 8 million homes a year, avoiding a total of 100 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 emissions by 2030. National Grid today launches Britain’s latest interconnector, IFA2. The 149-mile-long power cable runs along the sea bed between Portsmouth, Hampshire in the UK and near Caen, Normandy in France sharing surplus clean energy between the two countries. IFA2 is expected to deliver 1.2% of Britain’s electricity needs, enough to power up to 1 million homes with zero carbon energy. By the end of it’s first year in operation, IFA2 will have helped avoid 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, equivalent to planting 50 million trees. IFA2 is the latest feat of engineering helping to transform Britain’s energy system. In the last decade, Britain’s power grid has decarbonised faster than that of any other developed country with a 64% decline in carbon emissions[1]. Interconnectors have played a critical role in this: every year, National Grid’s three existing interconnectors power the equivalent of 5 million homes with zero carbon energy. This will increase to the equivalent of 8 million homes a year by 2024, as a further three interconnectors are completed, avoiding a total of 100 million tonnes (Mt) CO2 emissions by 2030. That emission reduction equates to taking 2 million cars off the road. Furthermore, as the country’s renewable energy capacity, such as offshore wind, increases, interconnectors will enable Britain to sell any excess renewable energy to neighbouring countries. Despite the pandemic, IFA2 has remained on time and on budget. The 1,000 MW high voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical interconnector is National Grid’s second link to France and is the result of a shared £700 million investment, with partners RTE. UK Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng visits IFA2 today as it enters its energisation phase which allows electricity power to run through the cable ready for testing before going live. With the energisation of IFA2, National Grid now has four operational interconnectors – two to France (IFA and IFA2), one to the Netherlands (BritNed) and one to Belgium (Nemo Link). Two further projects are under construction – Norway (North Sea Link, operational 2021) and Denmark (Viking Link, operational 2023). Interconnectors allow the UK to trade clean energy with neighbouring countries, exporting it during times of excess generation, and vice versa. They play a critical role in the UK’s transition to clean energy resources – connecting the UK to hydropower in Norway, wind power in Denmark, and carbon-free nuclear power in France. Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Grid Ventures, said: “While the world is focused on the pandemic and managing the knock-on effects on our lives, we know that progress towards net zero can’t afford to falter and Britain needs to keep up the momentum in reducing harmful carbon emissions. The launch of the IFA2 interconnector, linking France and Britain’s power grids, is an important step in accelerating our progress to a cleaner, greener future.” Kwasi Kwarteng, Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, said: “The opening of this IFA2 interconnector will provide enough clean electricity to power one million British homes so I am delighted to see this joint venture being launched. “Recent government commitments to the development of our offshore wind infrastructure show how the UK is a world leader in low-carbon energy generation and the IFA2 will allow us to share those benefits with our friends and neighbours in France.”
The Green Quarter will deliver, or open up access to, more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined Southall and Hayes are set to benefit from a new public park for the whole community to enjoy from early next year at Berkeley West Thames’ newly-named development, The Green Quarter. The London Borough of Ealing gave the go-ahead for the new park, which will be named Central Gardens, earlier this year, and Berkeley is making progress with its first phase, which will include a new playground inspired by the site’s industrial past, an impressive water feature which will flow the length of the park and a new amphitheatre to host open air events. On completion, the new park will have over 250 new trees and stretch 500m in length, providing 1.8 hectares of newly-accessible open space for the local area – the equivalent size to four football pitches. Future phases of Central Gardens will provide various habitats for wildlife and plants to thrive such as woodland and wetlands, which are being designed in partnership with London Wildlife Trust. Fitness enthusiasts will benefit from outdoor gym equipment while fitness routes are planned to connect into The Green Quarter’s other open spaces and beyond into the neighbouring Minet Country Park. Cultural art elements and information boards across the park will educate residents and the local community on the history of the site and the various plants and animals present within the development and across Ealing. The Green Quarter, previously named Southall Waterside, is one of London’s most ambitious regeneration projects, which is transforming a former industrial site between Southall and Hayes into one rich in biodiversity and nature. On completion, The Green Quarter will be home to 13 acres of new green space, connecting local communities and encouraging outdoor living. Berkeley has rebranded the development to better reflect this vision and to highlight the fantastic open space and nature recovery, where flora and fauna can thrive. Central Gardens is one of two new parks planned at The Green Quarter, and overall plans for the site include two new footbridges which will allow easy access into the 90-acre Minet Country Park, which borders the western side of the site. More than a kilometre of frontage alongside the Grand Union Canal has been opened up to the community, further adding to the new space available. The new green space will sit on the same site as 3,750 homes and new amenities to benefit the local area. The first phase of homes for sale will be launched soon. Ashley Kensington, Managing Director at Berkeley West Thames, said: “Through the new parklands being delivered at The Green Quarter, we’re more than doubling the accessible open space in the Southall Broadway ward. Central Gardens is for everyone in Southall, Hayes and the local area to enjoy, and opening it early next year will be an important milestone in The Green Quarter moving from concept to reality. “The Green Quarter is a remarkable development with nature and greenery at its heart – we’re transforming a former industrial gasworks site and delivering, or opening up access to, more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined. “Construction of the new park is really coming along, but we’re also making good progress with the new homes and we can’t wait to launch our first phase of residential sales soon.” Ahead of the new park, development of new homes at The Green Quarter is already well underway. Some 304 new affordable homes have been delivered in partnership with Catalyst Housing Association and Clarion Housing Association.
Carpets are inexpensive yet great decorative pieces in every home. Carpets add texture and color to the space, and even make your rooms bigger and feel more open. You can basically make any room look and feel new by using the right carpet. Your carpets play a vital role in the overall ambiance and appearance of your home, which is why you should exert time and effort in protecting them. Regardless of how expensive your carpets are, these items will eventually fade and lose their appeal. This is especially true if you placed your carpets in high-traffic areas or if you’re fond of hosting parties at home. For your carpets to last for the longest time possible, protect them by following these tips below: Invest In A Carpet Cleaner When it comes to protecting your carpets, you can choose from many types of cleaning solutions. Water-based cleaners work very well for cleaning your carpets and furniture, but be wary as putting too much of these products on your carpets can also damage their materials. Another option that you can choose is to make your own carpet cleaner from scratch. You can do this by mixing dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, warm water, and baking soda together. DIY carpet cleaners are generally effective and don’t harm the fabric of your carpets, but it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s instructions. A British carpet manufacturer, for instance, might have different cleaning requirements from a manufacturer operating locally. Call Professionals When it comes to keeping your carpets free from stains and odors, it’s always best to call a professional carpet cleaning service provider. They have trained and certified professionals who can clean your carpets without causing any damage to their fabric. Working with professionals regularly is a great way to protect your carpets as they can effectively remove dust and dirt that might have accumulated in the fabric. The more frequent you clean your carpets, the longer they’ll last. Just reach out to a licensed professional like this Lubbock carpet cleaning and schedule a regular inspection. You don’t have to go in-depth every time you call them. The best way to go is to check in regularly, so you make sure every area is in optimal conditions. Impose A No-Shoe Rule At Home Protecting your carpets would be easier if you prevent variables that can damage them. As they say, “Prevention is always better than cure,” and the same applies when it comes to your carpets. One of the easiest and cheapest ways of protecting your carpets is to impose a no-shoe rule inside your home. This means that everyone—yourself, friends, and family—should remove their shoes first before entering your home. This is an excellent way of making sure that dirt and dust from the outside won’t enter your home and accumulate in the fibers of your carpets. Depending on your preferences, you can provide cotton slippers to anyone who enters your home or have them step on the floor barefoot. Use A Carpet Liner You can also protect your carpets by adding a layer of protective liner. A liner will not only stop dirt from penetrating into the fibers of your carpets, but it will also protect them from stains and fading. A good liner will cost a little bit of money, but it will last you many years, making it a very cost-effective investment. Buying a carpet from the market is very taxing, which is why it’s best if you invest in solutions that will help you protect the carpets you have at home. Apply A Carpet Protectant With the number of people using carpets in their homes today, more and more businesses have adapted to these demands and created products that will help this target audience take care of their carpets more effectively. This status quo is one of the reasons why you can easily buy products today that allow you to protect your carpets. If you want an easy yet effective solution to your carpet-related woes, apply a carpet protectant. As the name suggests, this product repels liquid, resists soil, and even block stains from your carpet. Using this product will give you peace of mind, knowing that your carpets won’t get damaged even if you accidently spilled a drink on them. Using a carpet protectant is a great way to keep your carpets look fresh for years, especially if you have pets or children at home. Start Now Contrary to popular belief, protecting your carpets isn’t an impossible task. As long as you’re willing to exert time and effort and prioritize the longevity of your carpets, you won’t have any problems protecting these pieces today and in the years to come. Now that this article has provided you with tips on how you can protect your carpets, make adjustments to your lifestyle, and work right away. The sooner you prioritize protecting your carpets, the longer these decorative pieces will last.
Smart building technology essentially consists of a system of connected devices which can measure data from your building and transform it into usable insights and automation. Rather than relying on manual control of your facility management and maintenance systems, smart building systems do the hard work for you. The benefits of a smarter building include: Improved employee wellbeing Operational efficiencies Energy efficiency Reduced maintenance costs Higher productivity The buildings and the construction sector accounts for 36% of global energy demand and 40% of direct and indirect CO2 emissions. Smart technology plays a key role in reducing emissions and helping companies become more sustainable. That’s why it’s vital to find ways to make buildings smarter and more efficient. But what if you don’t plan on moving premises or building a new facility any time soon? The good news is that there are easy ways to invest in smart technology for older buildings. A building need not be shiny and new to be smart. There are a number of smart solutions that can be retrofitted into existing buildings easily. Here are 7 examples of how the UK’s estate managers and commercial building operators are developing intelligent offices within existing buildings, making life easier AND saving them money. 1. Smart Lighting A smart lighting solution is one of the simplest changes a building can make to reduce energy consumption and expenditure. Replacing traditional lightbulbs with smart LEDs gives you maximum control of your lighting systems: Choose any colour and lighting temperature Set specific times of operation Set automatic shutdown if the building is vacant Dim lights gradually Add security features like cycling lights on and off Automatically adjust indoor lighting levels to current sunrise/sunset times and weather conditions All these features can be automated and controlled remotely across your building portfolios, allowing you to improve the quality of life of your building occupants and reduce your energy bill. 2. Smart HVAC According to a 2016 study conducted by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a predictive and proactive HVAC system can save a building 30% – 70% more energy from November to March. Smart HVAC systems are a comprehensive and efficient way to curb energy consumption. Sensors and data sources can report on weather, occupancy and more, automatically adjusting HVAC temperatures for optimum results and minimal energy use. Smart sensors can be retrofit to existing HVAC equipment. They transmit data to the cloud to provide insights and information and allow building owners to immediately identify problem areas and implement real-time temperature control. 3. Automated Legionella Compliance Systems Automatic flushing and temperature testing systems save significant resources when it comes to ensuring Legionella compliance. Instead of having to manually run taps for two minutes and test the hot and cold temperatures, an automatic Legionella testing unit can flush outlets and measure the temperature at predefined intervals automatically. Data is sent to a central management dashboard, and regular reports are generated automatically, removing the need to manually keep testing records for the required five years. 4. Smart Tags Smart tags can be retrofitted to almost any equipment in your building, allowing you to track everything you need to. You can then use this dynamic control and efficient, real-time monitoring and reporting to inform data-driven decisions and promote profitability. 5. Occupancy Monitoring Monitor your building and employees with real-time information on desks, meeting rooms and other facilities. Knowing how many people are using which rooms and when can help you proactively manage your workforce and make the best use of the space in your building, improving energy efficiency and encouraging better collaboration. With social distancing protocols top-of-mind at the moment, occupancy monitoring technology can also help you ensure that policies are being adhered to. 6. Air Monitoring Air quality and ventilation are key concerns when it comes to limiting the spread of infection. With air quality monitoring technology, you can monitor your air quality in real time to stay compliant with legislation and protect your staff, particularly in insulated buildings where air quality is affected by high occupancy. 7. Fire Safety Monitoring Manual checks on fire safety equipment are time-consuming and labour-intensive. By retrofitting smart sensors onto this equipment, you can keep your building safe and compliant without the hassle. Smart sensors can monitor your fire doors, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors and alert you immediately in any change of condition. Automatically-generated reports are also available at your fingertips. Rapid advancements in technology are allowing facility managers to realise a quick return on investment in terms of reduced energy and maintenance costs. Smart building management can consist of a phased approach or a complete overhaul, delivering a sustainable blueprint for the future.
Morgan Sindall Construction has been named by the University of Salford as the preferred bidder to build the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre. The new Robotics Innovation Centre is part of the £2.5 billion Crescent masterplan, a 240-acre major regeneration scheme being delivered by the University, Salford City Council and development partner, The English Cities Fund – a strategic joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes England – aimed at driving economic and social prosperity for the whole of the city over the life of the 20-year programme, through the delivery of spaces where people can live, work, relax and innovate. The Centre will enable the University’s robotics and automation specialists to expand their work with SMEs around the country to provide solution development, design, testing and validation of digital innovation. Disciplines covered by the development will include the dynamic and growing sectors of robotics for intelligent infrastructure, digital automation and supply chain improvement, as well as health, wellbeing and integrated care technologies. It was announced earlier this year that the £13 million North of England Robotics Innovation Centre will be part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project will deliver a new gateway building to the Innovation District and provides the University with a new and significant presence facing on to Frederick Road. The building is articulated with a z-shaped plan expressing a series of stacked laboratories in turn linked by a central feature stair representing the heart of the building. Externally a simple palette of materials is utilised ranging from precast concrete at lower levels to light perforated metal panels above. Construction work on the 22,580 square foot building is set to begin in early 2021. The close working relationship between the University and Morgan Sindall Construction has existed for a number of years. It was announced earlier this year that Morgan Sindall Construction is to build the £65 million Science, Engineering and Environmental Building (SEE Building) for the University, and since 2018 the partnership has been driven by a programme focused on enhancing the employability credentials of undergraduates, which looks to combine the latest academic understanding of industry trends and developments with real world experience and learning. This has been delivered through regular site visits, workshops and providing expert advice on project proposals for design, planning, costing and development to multi-disciplinary student teams. Shaun Jones, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Manchester, said: “The University of Salford’s masterplan reflects a bold vision both in terms of developing a transformational future for the city and by supporting the sectors that will drive the wider country forward. We’re proud to be part of that vision through our work delivering the SEE Building and now the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre. “Throughout the build programme, we plan to work closely with students, residents and community groups to ensure our growing presence on campus has benefits for the whole of Salford.” Georgina Harris, director of engineering at the University of Salford, said: “We are really excited about our new North of England Robotics Innovation Centre and the opportunity to work with Morgan Sindall Construction on its development. This new centre, that is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is to be the focus of our activities supporting local small to medium-sized enterprises in the development of their robotics and automation capabilities. “This facility could not be more timely as companies look to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on their industries by making use of new technologies. We are delighted that Morgan Sindall Construction will be working with us to help us realise our ambitions in research, supporting our local businesses and providing opportunities for our students.” Tony Skipper, masterplanner and director of 5plus architects said: “We are delighted to be moving this project forward with Morgan Sindall Construction and the University of Salford. It will be one of the first projects to be delivered by the University within Salford City’s new Innovation District, conceived under the Salford Crescent and University Masterplan and as such the project represents a new chapter in the regeneration of the wider area. “We now look forward to continuing our work with the School of Science, Engineering and Environment and the contracting team to deliver this new exemplary facility.”