With the COVID-19 crisis changing life for everyone in the UK in one way or another, we’re all putting off our spending and booting our plans a little further down the road for now. When we talk to our customers at RIFT, we love to hear what they’ll be putting
Chetwoods have designed this scheme for an iconic national distribution centre that aims to be the ‘most sustainable warehouse in the world’. Commissioned by logistics developers Gazeley, the scheme seeks to enhance its environment and improve the health and wellbeing of its occupants. The building and the landscape which surround
Do you have a plan for fluidization or air inflation? If yes, then at the initial stage, you need to collect Saifilter porous plastic fluidizing plate. This particular plate is the perfect one for not only air inflammation, but it is also essential for the air distribution of material diffusion
Ensure Full Legal Compliance for Your Drainage Products with Kingspan’s SmartServ Pro Managing below-ground drainage products across a company’s estate can be a huge challenge for energy management teams. Ensuring that a company’s collective separators, pump stations and sewage treatment plants are all working safely and correctly is difficult when
Innovative processes have been used in the co-design of Finland’s new Hospital Nova, using BIM models and involving over 350 staff As the first completely new hospital to be built in the Central Finland Healthcare District since the 1970s, Hospital Nova aims to be the one of the most modern
The Mick George Group, a Cambridgeshire based Construction specialist which operates two sites within the Leicestershire region has landed a multi-service construction package worth circa £20m for works to be completed at Magna Park Lutterworth, Europe’s largest dedicated logistics and distribution park. The contract represents yet another high-profile project that
Grosvenor Europe, which manages Liverpool One, has appointed a revised leasing team as part of its commitment to support the city’s shopping centre through what it calls a “difficult time”. The new leasing team will see CBRE acting on the retail leasing, while Savills will act on the food, beverage
Surveying and property management company Scanlans has been appointed to manage a development of office buildings at Thorpe Park in Leeds. The Pentagon comprises six, two-storey buildings totalling about 25,000 sq ft. The buildings are owned by companies involved in construction, property development, financial services and financial planning. Thorpe Park
As businesses plan their return to work following months of coronavirus restrictions, Bureau Veritas has launched a new service to help construction firms meet the robust health and safety standards required to safely restart their operations. It comes as the UK government prepares to end the coronavirus lockdown by drawing
The engineered timber industry has been founded on the principles of advancing sustainable building technology. Led by innovators such as B&K Structures, the use of timber technology in UK construction has undergone a renaissance in recent years which has greatly increased the use of ground-breaking products such as cross laminated
With the COVID-19 crisis changing life for everyone in the UK in one way or another, we’re all putting off our spending and booting our plans a little further down the road for now. When we talk to our customers at RIFT, we love to hear what they’ll be putting their tax refunds toward. Holidays, smartphones, big-screen TVs and high-tech gadgets are always high up on the lists – but right now, those plans are all hitting the back burners while we wait for the danger to pass. The government, businesses and banks have all been doing quite a lot to help families through the lockdown, and are even doing a pretty good job of telling them about it. Depending on your situation, you might already be looking at anything from loan and mortgage payment holidays to getting 80% of your wages covered while you’re on furlough. Companies are offering refunds on train tickets and cancelled events, while overdraft freezes are easing the financial pressure for many without damaging their credit ratings. The thing is, while the whole country’s holding fire on those major purchases, there are still far too many of us shooting ourselves in the foot by letting the taxman hold onto money that should be back in our own pockets. Every year, PAYE construction workers are leaving as much as £300 million in unclaimed tax refunds in HMRC’s hands. Given the 4-year time limit allowed for refund claims, that’s £1.2 billion of UK construction workers’ cash left owing at any time. Claiming your yearly tax refund is one of the biggest boosts you can give to your finances, but so many people either think it’s too difficult or never even realise they qualify. When you work in construction, you tend to spend a lot of time trekking to and from temporary workplaces (generally, somewhere you work for under 24 months on the trot). Maybe you use public transport; maybe you drive your own car or van. Either way, you’ve putting miles under your wheels as a necessary part of doing your job. If you’re spending your own cash to do it, you can claim a tax refund based on your costs each year. In practice, that means: 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles by car or van, then 25p per mile after that. 24p per mile travelled on a motorcycle. 20p per mile for travel by bicycle. It might not look like much on paper, but it mounts up fast. For example, travelling 15,000 miles for work by car in a single tax year would net you a tax-free payment of up to £5,750. If you’re using public transport, your refund will be based on your ticket costs, so hang onto those receipts. There are lots of other essential costs that can add toward your refund claim, and it’s easy to check what you’re owed using free online tools from experts like RIFT, such as this online tax rebate calculator. 76% of us are delaying splashing out on something big because of COVID-19. Just think what you could do with a refund in your pocket today.
Chetwoods have designed this scheme for an iconic national distribution centre that aims to be the ‘most sustainable warehouse in the world’. Commissioned by logistics developers Gazeley, the scheme seeks to enhance its environment and improve the health and wellbeing of its occupants. The building and the landscape which surround it act as one entity, each benefiting from the other in a symbiotic way. The native flora and fauna spills into the site, and the landscaping is either edible, encouraging pollinators, or used for recreational purposes. The project continues our long-term work with Gazeley on its ‘Route to Net Zero’ sustainability roadmap, which outlines the vision for creating the world’s most innovative sustainable buildings. Graeme Munro, head of construction Europe, Gazeley: “We’ve worked with Chetwoods for the last 30 years and their specialist environmental sustainability and wellbeing knowledge was key to developing our Route to Net Zero. Thrive is the perfect partner to help us realise our sustainability goals.”
Do you have a plan for fluidization or air inflation? If yes, then at the initial stage, you need to collect Saifilter porous plastic fluidizing plate. This particular plate is the perfect one for not only air inflammation, but it is also essential for the air distribution of material diffusion and fluidization. But before you come to use this plate, you need to have an idea about the product. Take a look below. Materials used in the plate The fluidizing plat is made of extreme quality molecular polyethylene material. Event the plates’ construction comes with Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, High-density polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Very Low-Density Polyethylene, and Polypropylene. As a result of that, the plate runs for a long time providing its services. Even nothing damage or broken condition makes any hassle for the purpose of air inflation or fluidization. How does it look? The look of the plate is designed in such a way the work of installation comes easy and comfortable. Every side of the plastic plate is upward. You can bring any shape of it using hand tools according to your working suitability. Even it can be sealed easily in any location for your working comfort. Moreover, you can use it as a panel for effective filtration. Proper specification of the plate The thickness of the Saifilter porous plastic fluidizing sheet comes with the form of 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches. It can come with a shape of square, strip, circle, or oval. Even the shape of the sheet comes according to customers’ choice. That means no work comes impossible with the porous plastic fluidizing plate of saifilter. You no need to bear any waste of the plate. Is it cost-effective? Yes, the fluidizing plate is a hundred percent cost-effective as you no need to bear any waste of this sheet. The shape of the plate comes to be in customized size. Generally, the shape comes with the measurement of 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches. Where can the sheet be used? For your needs, either personal or professional, you can use this sheet. You can use this plate for a fluidized bed tank, filter plate, tank used for chemical technology tank, and closed conduit medium. Apart from this, you can use it for many purposes. Is the plate durable? The porous plastic fluidizing sheet of Saifilter has much more durability. It does not come to be broken itself within a short period. It can take huge pressure for a long time and keeps continue any service in need of your purpose. It does not give you hassle in any of your working purposes like air inflation or fluidization. Rather the plate provides you the freedom to keep going your working purposes. Is it costly? No, the product is not costly. The price of the product is designed in such way that people from any level can afford it very easily. Even the sometime the price comes less with a great discount.
Ensure Full Legal Compliance for Your Drainage Products with Kingspan’s SmartServ Pro Managing below-ground drainage products across a company’s estate can be a huge challenge for energy management teams. Ensuring that a company’s collective separators, pump stations and sewage treatment plants are all working safely and correctly is difficult when they aren’t always easily accessible and may be widely distributed across remote geographical locations. Nonetheless, this level of oversight is a requirement for all businesses under current EN 858-2 legislation, in order to protect the environment and public health from local pollution events. Kingspan’s brilliant new SmartServ Pro system now offers energy management teams an all-encompassing solution to the problem of monitoring and compliance, at a relatively low-cost (https://youtu.be/Vj7An5CTa54). The system provides instant access to real-time performance data for each individual drainage product and gives early warning of any issues. The benefits this brings include not just effortless oversight, compliance and optimum asset performance, but also significant time and cost-savings for a company. James Curran, Kingspan’s Commercial Director, advises: “Proactive pollution prevention, such as via early fault warnings on SmartServ Pro, is now more important than ever. “SmartServ Pro has been developed in line with Kingspan’s commitment to Planet Passionate, a series of ambitious targets to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.” How can SmartServ Pro help FMs save time and money? Once installed, SmartServ Pro sends alerts to users about the need for servicing and emptying/tankering of an asset as and when required, rather than simply when a maintenance contract requires it. This intelligent monitoring solutions avoids the disruption and costs, as well as the additional carbon footprint associated with unnecessary tankering. It also ensures a clear management plan is in place – all of which can be outsourced to the Kingspan Service team if required. Predictive maintenance support is provided through an online platform and this also gives immediately notification of a drop in performance of any individual asset along with details of the problem (ie. which component is failing). This gives teams the all information they need to action a repair in good time, reducing the risk of local underground pollution, which can occur when drainage products fail. Furthermore, SmartServ Pro acts as an asset register for a company, providing detailed, easy to access data which can be exported/shared as needed. James continues: “Separators, pump stations and sewage treatment plants are not fit-and-forget products; they need regular servicing and maintenance. “Many businesses choose to service them based on historic precedent rather than need – in other words when it’s been done in the past. That’s unnecessary and it’s very wasteful. Added to which, you could be fined for not complying to EN 858-2 guidelines, or prosecuted for polluting the local environment.” “Kingspan’s SmartServ Pro solves all these issues. It’s a big step forward from previous asset management solutions – even those which currently use sensor technology and end-user text alerts. And users can be confident that the system is built on tried and trusted technology and software, backed by Kingspan know-how.” For more information, or to book a demo please contact our Service Team: E: helpingyou@kingspan.com T: +44 (0) 333 240 6868 (NI 028 3836 4600 / ROI 0818 543 500)
Innovative processes have been used in the co-design of Finland’s new Hospital Nova, using BIM models and involving over 350 staff As the first completely new hospital to be built in the Central Finland Healthcare District since the 1970s, Hospital Nova aims to be the one of the most modern and efficient hospitals in Europe. With a planned opening in late 2020, the project is an entirely new building type and concept compared to traditional hospitals, with a target to cut traditional operating costs by 10%. Virtual visits Due to the ambitious nature of the project, the project team wanted to involve staff in the design of the hospital to ensure it would meet everyone’s needs. “Our objective was to engage hospital staff in the project before construction had even started, by allowing them to visit the building virtually,” explained Mikko Jylhä, Project Director, Hospital Nova, Central Finland Healthcare District. “Right from the early stages we wanted to share the new designs, collaborate with the building’s future users and gather vital feedback for the design process.” Streamlined BIM workflows Hospital Nova decided to use Tridify to convert their BIMs into virtual models, as it was quick and easy to update the models with ongoing changes. Tridify’s automated service processed the architect BIM files into 3D interactive models, saving the hospital a lot of time and effort. The VR solution involved building a hospital demonstration space next to the construction site, for both the staff and the public to visit. Facilities included a virtual space where staff could use VR goggles to explore the future hospital and an auditorium where others could follow the virtual experience on a large screen. The response from staff was impressive, with over 350 registering to be involved in the design process with many using the virtual model. At the height of its use there were several visitor groups per day, including members of the public interested in seeing what the hospital would look like. In 2019 alone there were over 3,000 visitors to the showroom. Due to its ease of use, Nova’s own project team were able to operate the demonstration space without the help of any external specialists. They were also able to use the Tridify virtual model to create their own videos and images for use in other promotional and educational activities. Design feedback Staff have been able to explore the future building using the virtual model and provide feedback in the early design stages. Various different clinical and operational teams were able to make plans for new facilities based on their virtual visits, the model helping people to understand the design and if space was adequate for the planned functions. “Many different staff groups were involved, ranging from clinical staff, consultants, doctors, nurses and laboratory staff,” explained Jylhä. “Gathering feedback from so many different groups who would be using the building was invaluable in helping shape its design. Changes were made to the architect plans based on feedback. The result being an improved hospital which avoids any expensive alterations once the hospital is complete.” With construction now in its final stages and a planned opening in late 2020, the virtual model is currently being used by staff to test the hospital signage and ensure the smooth flow of different users around the site. This will allow further cost savings to be made as any changes can easily be done in the design phase. Staff are also becoming familiar with the new premises even before entering the building. BIM to web publishing Hospital Nova is now starting to use Tridify to publish the 3D model to mobile devices via the web, to help communicate the design to additional stakeholders. The hospital is also planning on using the virtual model throughout the hospital’s lifecycle in facilities management. “Using virtual reality for hospital co-design on this scale is rare so we are proud to be at the forefront of such developments, seeing how it can help shape the hospital so it functions as efficiently as possible, for both staff and patients. An efficient design is critical as it helps guarantee the delivery of the best quality and economically efficient healthcare in years to come,” concluded Jylhä.
The Mick George Group, a Cambridgeshire based Construction specialist which operates two sites within the Leicestershire region has landed a multi-service construction package worth circa £20m for works to be completed at Magna Park Lutterworth, Europe’s largest dedicated logistics and distribution park. The contract represents yet another high-profile project that the firm is concurrently engaged, and will see the business complete various enabling, stabilisation, demolition, environmental and facilities management works on behalf of Gazeley, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks. Through various initiatives, the scheme seeks to expand the existing 9 million Sq. Ft. of floor space to 16 million Sq. Ft in the coming years. Development has begun on three speculative logistics and distribution units totalling 525,400 Sq. Ft. which will be available for occupancy in Autumn 2020, while a further unit of 746,500 Sq. Ft (subject to planning permission) is also be being planned. In total Magna Park South, Lutterworth could accommodate 2.8 million Sq. Ft with build-to-suit options available in a range of sizes. Magna Park Lutterworth benefits from excellent transport links to the rest of the UK, with 59.3 million people, or 85% of the UK population, within four hours’ truck drive-time of the development, owing to its easy access to the M1, M6 and M69 motorways.
Grosvenor Europe, which manages Liverpool One, has appointed a revised leasing team as part of its commitment to support the city’s shopping centre through what it calls a “difficult time”. The new leasing team will see CBRE acting on the retail leasing, while Savills will act on the food, beverage and leisure leasing, with both working alongside incumbent, Metis Real Estate. Commenting on the revised team, Alison Clegg, director, asset management, Grosvenor Europe, said in a statement: “To maintain Liverpool One’s success, it is imperative we have the right team to help navigate through the significant changes the industry is facing. The experience, reach and passion demonstrated by CBRE, Savills and Metis is the perfect combination to maintain Liverpool One’s long-term success and vitality.” This news follows a number of leading UK and international brands signed for new stores at Liverpool One in the first three months of this year, including MAC Cosmetics, Penhaligon’s, Kiehl’s, Virgin Holidays for its largest store in the UK, and premium British sportswear pioneer, Castore, which will open its first store outside of London in Liverpool later this year. Mark Disney, executive director, retail, CBRE, added: “Liverpool One is one of the best-known and highly regarded mixed-use destinations in Europe. Its positive impact on the region, and UK industry as a whole, is well-documented and we are delighted to be part of the team to move it forward even further.” Steve Tregenza, co-founder of Metis, commented: “We have been involved in Liverpool One since before construction began, and retaining our brief across all aspects of the leasing is a very proud moment for the business. We will work alongside CBRE and Savills, complementing their expertise with our unique understanding of the destination, the city, and the strong regional operators for whom Liverpool One is perfect.”
Surveying and property management company Scanlans has been appointed to manage a development of office buildings at Thorpe Park in Leeds. The Pentagon comprises six, two-storey buildings totalling about 25,000 sq ft. The buildings are owned by companies involved in construction, property development, financial services and financial planning. Thorpe Park has been developed by Scarborough International Properties and its joint venture partner Legal & General and includes a 900,000 sq ft business park alongside homes, shops and green space. Michael Willans, senior property manager at Scanlans’ Leeds office, said: “We are delighted to win the instruction for the commercial estate management of The Pentagon area of the Thorpe Park business park. “The Pentagon plays an important part in the thriving regional business hub. We are excited to implement our property management services and look forward to getting involved in the management of the buildings for our client, Pentagon Management Services.” Scanlans has also recently secured an agreement to manage 68 energy-efficient homes at the Ironworks development in Holbeck Urban Village.
As businesses plan their return to work following months of coronavirus restrictions, Bureau Veritas has launched a new service to help construction firms meet the robust health and safety standards required to safely restart their operations. It comes as the UK government prepares to end the coronavirus lockdown by drawing up guidelines for the safe return of employees to different working environments. According to latest reports1, the guidance, which has yet to be published, will differ according to each company’s operating environment. It will, however, seek to maintain social distancing, variable shift patterns, encouragement of continued homeworking and strict hygiene practices. As such, committed to helping the construction industry navigate the current conflicting advice on resuming operations, global health and safety expert Bureau Veritas has developed its new ‘Return To Work Assurance’ solution. The service provides a voluntary, independent assessment of a firm’s COVID-19 readiness to re-open their business premises, with a statement of assurance issued on completion that can be displayed on its website and at its properties. The scheme covers best practice measures required by firms to meet the local and international standards on managing coronavirus risks in the workplace. These include hygiene, disinfection and cleaning assessment, social distancing best practice, personal protection equipment requirements as well as employee specific risk assessment. Ken Smith, UK Chief Executive at Bureau Veritas UK, said: “As we emerge from lockdown, which is currently in its sixth week, for almost all businesses across the UK, the urgent priority will be how to get back to work as quickly as possible and with appropriate health, safety and hygiene measures in place to protect their employees and their clients. “Safely restarting business amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic remains unchartered territory for many, especially construction sites. That’s why, we’ve created our Return To Work Assurance solution to aid business owners, property managers and employers to put in place hygiene, safety, maintenance and regulatory processes that will ensure a safe working and trading environment.” One of the key challenges for firms planning on resuming operations, says Bureau Veritas, has been deciphering conflicting advice on appropriate health and safety measures required in the workplace, which is impacting organisations operating across multiple countries in particular. Ken adds: “With many nations across the world having their own policies, regulations and standards on managing coronavirus risks, this can leave many multinational organisations confused as to the correct action to take. Luckily, as a global leader in compliance operating in more than 140 countries, our Return To Work assurance scheme can provide solutions tailored for specific sector and geographical needs. We’d urge all our new and existing client to make use of this fantastic new service.” To find out more about Bureau Veritas’ Return To Work Assurance Solution, call 0345 600 1828 or visit: https://share.hsforms.com/1tTRe4h7IQZOBHtRBmdDDfg2z02a
The engineered timber industry has been founded on the principles of advancing sustainable building technology. Led by innovators such as B&K Structures, the use of timber technology in UK construction has undergone a renaissance in recent years which has greatly increased the use of ground-breaking products such as cross laminated timber (CLT). Here Managing Director of B&K Structures, Andy Goodwin discusses the proposed building restrictions and the unintended consequences. Leading architects such as Foster and Partners and Waugh Thistleton have realised exceptional award-winning buildings, creating a new legacy in outstanding timber architecture but we are now at a point in time where the proposed building regulations could restrict the use of a material which has the potential to help in the battle against climate change. Existing buildings and new construction accounts for nearly 40% of our national carbon dioxide emissions. CLT is now widely acknowledged as having a vital role to play in reducing CO2 emissions and crucial to reaching net-zero carbon targets. Somehow CLT, as a robust, fast, clean and sustainable construction method, has been put into the same category as dangerous highly combustible cladding systems. Many of us involved in the industry are baffled how we arrived at this place. A blanket ban that is not based on building physics or scientific fact, is seen as a quick fix but the unintended consequences will be far reaching. Every building material in some way is susceptible to fire whether it melts, warps or explodes but it is knowing how it performs that is crucial. Tests prove CLT has fire resistance of 90 – 120 minutes and greater than that if additional coatings are applied. The UK Government is currently seeking views on the ban of the use of combustible materials in external walls of buildings, with any changes affecting all new residential buildings with floor levels above 11m (circa 4 storeys). This proposal comes despite a significant amount of UK innovation in the use of engineered timber systems such as glue laminated timber and cross laminated timber. Together with sustainability, safety is of paramount importance to the team at B&K Structures and we have found a way to ensure our structures are both safe and sustainable using a hybrid approach. We support stronger measures regarding the safety of building, but the current proposal could impact the ability to construct with timber as a primary structural material. Alongside ACAN (Architects Climate Action Network), we are calling for responses to the consultation to help oppose this new legislation from affecting construction innovation. www.architectscan.org/safe-timber About B&K Structures Through careful design detailing and value engineering, B&K Structures is able to offer the best possible offsite manufactured construction solutions, ensuring a smooth integration for follow-on trades – delivering award-winning, environmentally and sustainable projects on time and to budget. B&K Structures has worked with some of the UK’s most renowned clients to develop outstanding buildings with sustainable credentials. For more information on their product portfolio and full range of services go to www.bkstructures.co.uk