When it comes to thinking about adding new or updating existing heating and plumbing systems, we realise it requires a lot of thought as often these can use a substantial amount of your home renovations budget. Choosing the right heating system is crucial to creating a comfortable and efficient home
The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the organisation established to improve the image of construction – has expanded to offer professional service organisations the opportunity to register with the Scheme. Eligible organisations providing professional services to the construction industry, such as architects, engineering consultancies, surveyors, accountants and lawyers, are now able
For all operations, controlled bolting is highly important. It ensures that the tightening and loosening of bolts are done in a controlled manner. If you rush through this process, then you could risk complications further down the line. If you correctly use a controlled bolting technique, then it can help
Apartments complete with floor-to-ceiling glazing, stunning views and luxury resident facilities including a swimming pool and cinema, have sold in London. Riverlight occupies a prime central London location directly fronting the River Thames and comprises a group of six pavilions ranging from 12 to 20 storeys in height. As part
FIS, representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI), launched the much-awaited Technical Report ED017 – Design and Installation of Light Steel External Wall Systems guide with a consortium of industry partners on 16 May 2019. The launch was
Structural steel specialists, J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd has been named as the steel contractor for the expansion to London City Airport, known as the City Airport Development Programme (CADP). The £500m development programme to London’s most central airport will see J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd fabricate and
Employee-owned business, Kite Packaging, has introduced a new, innovative chilled packaging range to its product offering. The new temperature controlled range includes five different products that offer high quality, thermal protection for a wide variety of temperature sensitive goods on the market. When it comes to transporting produce from the
A poll carried out by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, has found that despite the ever-growing popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand. The poll, which was conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (20- 26 May),
A MAJOR milestone has been reached in the restoration of South Yorkshire’s Grade I listed Wentworth Woodhouse with 10,000 square metres of scaffolding encasing the stately home. Woodhead Group, experts in heritage and conservation, has been appointed by Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust to carry out the repair, restoration and replacement
New “reverse charge” will reduce firms’ working capital says Clarke Willmott UK construction companies face financial disruption when new anti-fraud VAT legislation comes into force in October. The new legislation seeks to combat what the government describes as an attack on the VAT system by “organised criminal gangs”. “The new
When it comes to thinking about adding new or updating existing heating and plumbing systems, we realise it requires a lot of thought as often these can use a substantial amount of your home renovations budget. Choosing the right heating system is crucial to creating a comfortable and efficient home and will be different for every property and its owners. Whether you are already homeowners or looking to become first-time buyers we have several heating and plumbing solutions that may be helpful to you. One of the most used rooms in your home is the bathroom and it is important to ensure your renovations are all in working order before even considering the design. We are stripping it back to basics in terms of things to consider for your bathroom. From hot water, leaks, corroded pipes and those consistent water bills we have put together this guide on some fantastic fixes for your bathroom and plumbing: If your hot water is in short supply If your hot water has become sparse and your relaxing showers aren’t what they used to be then you may need to replace your hot water heater. When it comes to choosing you may wish to look at both conventional and tankless models. Conventional one’s can supply multiple appliances at once which may be better suited to your property. New water heaters are more efficient and so your water bill could be considerably lower! Water leaks and corroded pipes Unfortunately, from time to time you may experience a water leak, or if you are buying an old house the pipes will often need replacing. It is important to know the age of your home as pipes should be replaced every 80 to 100 years and much less for PVC drainpipes that only last around 25 years. Replacing your plumbing pipes before they burst can save you thousands in damages. PVC piping is also popular as it costs less and can be installed much more quickly. Alternative options are conventional brass, copper or steel. If you must replace any pipes it also gives you the opportunity to place them in a different area. Plumbing fixtures are boring and outdated This could be your chance to upgrade your plumbing fixtures to newer models or invest in boiler parts such as these glow worm boiler spares for your home. Often this is an easy upgrade as many of them are inexpensive. This job can be a little more fun than other plumbing tasks as there are a variety of colours, materials and designs available when it comes to boiler spares and other fittings. So not only will they look the part, but new fixtures can also be more efficient that your old ones. Water bills draining your wallet Expensive water bills are often related to leaking fixtures. This could be down to several reasons such as, a continuously running toilet. It is important to test everything for any leaks whether they are slow or heavy. If you hear a random flushing noise coming from your toilet, it may be time to replace your fill valve and flapper. If everything has been repaired and your water bill doesn’t seem to be decreasing, then it may be worth while booking a professional to come and inspect. It’s also worth noting that low-flow showerheads and toilets help to reduce water output without sacrificing pressure and can dramatically improve usage compared to older models that may clog. Eco-friendly bathroom plumbing should not be overlooked either as it helps to cut your environmental footprint. Looking to sell your home If you are in a hurry to sell your home, then renovating your bathroom may help with a speedy sale. Investing in your bathroom can bring a huge return if you are going to spend on any home improvement prior to moving out. If you are remodelling your interior, it is also worth investing in quality tiles and upscale fixtures as a shiny new bathroom lets you up your asking price! Let us know if you have any other heating and plumbing tips for your home.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the organisation established to improve the image of construction – has expanded to offer professional service organisations the opportunity to register with the Scheme. Eligible organisations providing professional services to the construction industry, such as architects, engineering consultancies, surveyors, accountants and lawyers, are now able to join the 7,000 plus construction sites, companies, suppliers and clients of construction projects who register with the Scheme each year. Professional services account for around 11% (£186 billion) of the UK’s Gross Value Added and employ around 13% (4.6 million) of the UK’s population.* This exciting development comes at the request of those already registered with the Scheme to ensure their entire supply chain is part of the Scheme, as well as an increasing number of professional service organisations wishing to be part of the Scheme to help improve their standards in considerate construction. Edward Hardy, Chief Executive of the Considerate Constructors Scheme said: “We are delighted to welcome eligible professional service organisations to the Scheme. This is a significant development for our entire construction industry, as professional services form an integral part of the industry’s supply chain. “The impact such organisations can have in becoming part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme to improve their standards will no doubt have a significant influence on improving the overall image of our industry.” Click here to find out more and to apply to become a Scheme Registered Professional.
For all operations, controlled bolting is highly important. It ensures that the tightening and loosening of bolts are done in a controlled manner. If you rush through this process, then you could risk complications further down the line. If you correctly use a controlled bolting technique, then it can help you meet tighter deadlines and also has a number of benefits and advantages. Together, with hydraulic torque wrench specialists, HTL Group, we cover the advantages of controlled bolting techniques: Reduces time Because controlled bolting has an automated set-up, there’s no heavy loading and manual effort required. This means that fatigue won’t set in, which in turn would lower productivity levels. Not only is the manual labour a lot more strenuous on workers, it’s also a lot more time consuming for a human to do this task. Safety Let’s not forget the safety benefits. The controlled bolting equipment in this scenario can take away any unsafe actions of manual uncontrolled tightening. This is because the equipment requires highly-skilled and trained operators who follow specific procedures. Consistency When dealing with joints which have gaskets, consistency is crucial. This is because an even and consistent compression is required so there’s no damage and so that the gasket can work effectively. Human error is one of most common cause of error in engineering. This in itself would mean the task could take a lot longer. But, controlled bolting eliminates this risk. With this bolting technique, you can feel assured that you will be correctly operating every time. This is possible thanks to skilled operators using calibrated and tested equipment and follow specific procedures. Accurate calculations can also be provided by controlled bolting, which can help give the operator the required tool setting so that usability is easier. It’s essential to bare in mind before you undergo any tightening procedures, that give the equipment a full inspection. It’s also imperative to check the lubrication of any nuts and bolts and to make sure they’re flush against the flange. Be sure to check for uneven bolt tensioning as this can result in bolts being overloaded or too loose, a gasket leakage, and less than 100% tensioning. Even though controlled bolting is more consistent, time-effective and safe, you must ensure that you’re correctly trained in the method used. Sources https://www.hiretorque.co.uk/advantages-of-controlled-bolting-techniques/ https://www.ultratorq.com/in-the-news/what-is-controlled-bolting/ https://www.ved.it/en/serraggio-controllato/
Apartments complete with floor-to-ceiling glazing, stunning views and luxury resident facilities including a swimming pool and cinema, have sold in London. Riverlight occupies a prime central London location directly fronting the River Thames and comprises a group of six pavilions ranging from 12 to 20 storeys in height. As part of the multi-million pound project, air distribution products were supplied by expert manufacturers, Waterloo Air Products plc. Each building featured bespoke glazing and inverted balconies to increase daylight and maximise views of the river. To create the perfect living environment for new owners, Waterloo’s air terminal devices were fitted inside five of the six buildings. Waterloo delivered aesthetically-pleasing linear bar grilles which were integrated at a high level in every room. The APM plasterline grille was chosen so that the surrounding frame could be plastered into the wall with only the central core visible. Special clip fixings were developed so that the frame could be installed first. After the room was decorated, the core was then fitted. Diffusers were fed via thermally-lined plenums which were sized to give good throw patterns at various fan coil air volumes. Before the installation of any products, Waterloo created working mock-ups in the test lab to ensure perfect air performance and specified noise levels could be achieved. Waterloo’s variable ventilation controllers deliver the exact amount of air flow to enhance the luxurious feel of each of the residential and retail blocks. Once Phase One was completed, the same format was created through to the other blocks. Over the course of several months, hundreds of apartments were installed with a state-of-the-art air distribution system. As well as this, other onsite facilities, which included restaurants, a gym and virtual golf, all needed specialist air distribution. Maximising space and ensuring each grille was finished to a high specification was of paramount importance to Waterloo. Consideration had to be given to each of the separate apartment blocks and, in a bid to minimise disruption, work was carried out in organised phases. Waterloo staggered manufacture and delivery to the London site to facilitate the needs of the developer. Speaking about the project, Andrew Mildon, sales office manager at Air Systems (SW), said he enjoyed being involved. He says: “This project was really exciting. Our aim was to deliver excellent air conditioning and air distribution throughout each apartment. When one block was complete, we literally moved on to the next.” From initial design stages, developers were keen to create something truly unique within this area of London. Considering the central location, it was paramount to conjure up a unique flagship development. And it seems buyers could not wait to invest.
FIS, representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI), launched the much-awaited Technical Report ED017 – Design and Installation of Light Steel External Wall Systems guide with a consortium of industry partners on 16 May 2019. The launch was well attended by industry partners and the guide will be an invaluable tool for all those working with Steel Framing Systems, designing and installing them. Iain McIlwee, CEO of FIS said “the development of this guidance is refreshing and we are so grateful to the SCI for their collaborative and open approach and to all the members who contributed to this work. Sectors evolve only through disruption and positive collaboration and this is a great example of the latter. The guide is collective wisdom of two organisations and vitally our members, sharing best practice to improve working practice – there is a better way than learning from our own mistakes, we can learn from each other’s! We hope it drives real improvement in the wider sector. It isn’t the end, it needs to be a live document and we need to continue to work together to improve support for those designing, installing and inspecting these systems. It is freely available on the website and we encourage people to use it and share it. At FIS we are committed to improving quality and competence in the interiors and finishes sector and this is another tool to do just that.” SFS is the lightweight steel frame used to create the inner leaf of an external wall, it’s been around for over 20 years but its benefits are just being realised, which is why so many projects are using it, but there are problems being created because of a lack of planning and knowledge. It’s the first thing you see, but often the last thing that’s designed in a building, and that’s the issue. SFS is seen as non-load bearing, not holding the structure up but it is supporting cladding, internal linings insulation and perhaps even services. There are significant implications should it fail, which could lead to the external cladding falling off. The guide will spread best practice, help raise standards and educate clients and installers, and because the sector is new there are still a lot of client’s, designers and installers who will benefit from an education process driven by the document. The guide will help avoid the issues caused by last minute changes. The guide is for anyone who designs and installs SFS infill walls, and anyone checking that the products are being correctly installed, such as a ‘Clerk of Works.’ It will help to raise standards, show clients what SFS is and how it works. It will get people thinking about what is expected of them, the design and the final installation. It will give installers the confidence to question designs and provide guidance to ensure the installation is as good as it can be. The document includes check lists as well as guidance that makes people stop and check that all the information that should be provided, is provided. As the landscape post-Grenfell develops, we envisage that it will be very different from the way in which buildings are being designed and constructed now, this guide will become the go to reference for all involved. Copies of the Steel Framing Systems guide are available to download from our website at: https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/sfsguide/
Structural steel specialists, J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd has been named as the steel contractor for the expansion to London City Airport, known as the City Airport Development Programme (CADP). The £500m development programme to London’s most central airport will see J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd fabricate and erect the structural steelwork as well as design all the envelope support steelwork, for the East & West Terminal Extensions, modifications to the Main Terminal Building, as well as the East Pier extension for additional aircraft stands and two new Energy Centres. J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd are delighted to join the delivery team for this international game-changing development, bringing on-board both their expertise and experience in airport expansion projects. This is the third airport expansion in the last 12 months that J & D Pierce have been awarded, which include Gatwick and Lossiemouth. “This is a great opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing the progress and results of this exciting project.” Derek Pierce, Managing Director at J & D Pierce. This remarkable expansion which is scheduled to take 12 months will quadruple the size of the airport by extending the Main Terminal and constructing East & West Terminals, as well as the East Pier creating 1,600 permanent jobs and 500 additional construction jobs. For further information about J&D Pierce, please go to – https://www.jdpierce.co.uk/about/
Employee-owned business, Kite Packaging, has introduced a new, innovative chilled packaging range to its product offering. The new temperature controlled range includes five different products that offer high quality, thermal protection for a wide variety of temperature sensitive goods on the market. When it comes to transporting produce from the food and drink industry, pharmaceuticals or other temperature sensitive goods, it can often prove challenging to maintain their desired temperature. These products need to stay at a certain temperature to ensure they remain fit for purpose, therefore they require sufficient packaging which will do exactly that whilst offering secure protection. Kite’s new enviro-friendly insulated boxes are produced from materials with insulating properties that outperform polystyrene. The outer layer is produced from 100% recyclable, environmentally-friendly Kraft paper and the internal layer is made up of 100% biodegradable starch-based loose fill that not only preserves the in-the-box temperature but also provides cushioning protection. The next product Kite has launched is its new insulated box liners. These are comprised of a metallised polyester outer layer to reflect heat away from the product, a bubble wrap middle layer to provide an interval of cushioning insulation and an inner HDPE foam layer offering high resistance against moisture and chemicals as well as further insulation. For businesses who are distributing large pallet size quantities of stock requiring a temperature sensitive environment through transit, the Kite team recommend their new thermal pallet covers. These are equipped with the same properties as the insulated box liners, therefore also providing strong resistance to low temperatures against damage in transit. Due to the foldable, stackable and lightweight structure, these pallet covers provide a reduction in warehouse costs, transportation costs and operational internal carriages. If teamed with the insulating box liners, businesses can help their products get to their destination in the optimum environment. Other essential chilled packaging solutions that can help maintain temperatures on the road are coolants. Ideal for overnight shipments, Kite’s new ice sheets and gel packs will maintain low, internal temperatures to ensure products such as food, fish and pharmaceuticals remain fit for purpose. The gel packs simply require freezing, whereas the ice sheets need to be submerged in water for activation, turning them in to a gel pack which can then be frozen. The real benefit of the ice sheets is their flat pack composition which ensures minimal use of valuable storage space in the warehouse. The final thermal product the Kite team have introduced is their temperature controlled pouches which act as effective insulating protection for smaller items for a shorter length of time. For more information on Kite Packaging’s new chilled packaging range or for more about the business’s other packaging solutions, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
A poll carried out by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, has found that despite the ever-growing popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand. The poll, which was conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (20- 26 May), found that 82% of tradespeople have never undertaken any form of training in smart home technology. This figure remains largely unchanged following results from the same poll in 2018. Research has shown that 40% of UK homeowners now own at least one smart home product, a rise of 13% on the previous year[1]. However, despite continued growth, the number of tradespeople improving their knowledge and skills in this area remains disproportionately low. This is backed up by previous national research carried out by the leading online ironmongery supplier, which showed that almost 90% of tradespeople are not confident when advising customers on smart products. Now in its third year, Smart Home Week aims to raise the profile of smart home technology and to inform, educate and reassure consumers about the benefits and opportunities of living in a smart, connected way. Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, said: “We’re living in the age of rapid technological development, and it’s easy to see why people are investing in smart technology to bring comfort, convenience and added security to their homes. However, with a huge range of smart devices available, and new products being developed all the time, it is important that tradespeople do their research and make a conscious effort to stay up to date on the latest news and trends surrounding smart home technology. “There is of course still a demand for traditional products, but these new smart alternatives should not be ignored. There are some brilliant products currently on the market, whether you want to specialise in lighting, heating, security or household appliances.” IronmongeryDirect stocks a variety of products including the Yale® Conexis L1 Multipoint Smart Lock, which eradicates the need for a physical key, the Burg Wachter BURGprotect Alarm Kit 2200, which can send a notification to a connected smartphone within seconds of a break-in or smoke being detected and the Yale® Smart Home CCTV Kit, which allows homeowners to view footage remotely in real-time via an app, wherever they are in the world. The customer service team are available from 7am-8pm 7 days a week and can help with any questions or queries tradespeople may have about smart home technology. IronmongeryDirect has over 17,500 products available and in stock. Orders can be placed as late as 8pm for next day delivery from Sunday through to Friday and by 4pm on Saturdays. Free, no quibble returns are available on all products. For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.
A MAJOR milestone has been reached in the restoration of South Yorkshire’s Grade I listed Wentworth Woodhouse with 10,000 square metres of scaffolding encasing the stately home. Woodhead Group, experts in heritage and conservation, has been appointed by Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust to carry out the repair, restoration and replacement of the building’s 1,486 square metre roof as part of its 25-year masterplan. A bespoke scaffolding solution is being put in place by subcontractors Lyndon SGB to provide a temporary roof to protect the building during the conservation works. Most of the building’s East Front is now shrouded in a steel scaffold shell. Public access areas are also being created so visitors will soon be able to view the works taking place and the mansion house can remain open over the two-year project. It will take up to three months to fully install the scaffolding which will reach 30 metres in height – as high as six double decker busses. The scaffolding will incorporate almost 300 stairs and two specialist accessible lifts for use by the public when installation is completed, which will reach 18 metres high. Tom Woodhead from Woodhead Group said: “This project requires an exceptional collaborative approach with our scaffolding sub-contractors, Lyndon SGB, architects Donald Insall Associates and consultants to design and install such a complex scaffold system.” The scaffolding will comprise approximately 700 tonnes and 500 linear metres of scaffolding poles and 6,000 planks, and is being installed by up to ten technicians per day over the three-month period. Jonathan O’Connor, general manager for Lyndon SGB added: “We’ve been operating across the UK for 100 years and are familiar with creating tailored access solutions for all sorts of buildings and applications. Our team has been working in collaboration with Woodhead Group to progress the scheme which will ultimately allow Wentworth Woodhouse to continue to welcome visitors. Sarah McLeod, CEO at Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust commented: “This much-loved property is one of the largest historic country houses in Europe with some 365 rooms. We needed a contractor who understood the complexities of working on a live site and had a strong track record of successfully restoring buildings from a similar era. Thanks to their approach, the mansion can remain open to the public and in addition we will soon be able to provide a rare opportunity of roof-top access for visitors while work is taking place.” Woodhead Group’s work will also include some remedial repairs and conservation to the interiors, including the oak staircase and the eastern section of the Long Gallery. The repairs are being supported with over £7 million of Government funding through Historic England. Giles Proctor of Historic England said: “We are delighted to be involved with such a transformative project, which will greatly increase public access to this wonderful building, including during the works.”
New “reverse charge” will reduce firms’ working capital says Clarke Willmott UK construction companies face financial disruption when new anti-fraud VAT legislation comes into force in October. The new legislation seeks to combat what the government describes as an attack on the VAT system by “organised criminal gangs”. “The new VAT reverse charge for the construction industry is intended to tackle the issue of construction employers and contractors paying fees for works and services plus VAT, and then that VAT not being paid to HMRC in its entirety,” said Zoe Stollard, partner at national law firm Clarke Willmott specialising in the construction industry. Under the new rules, the company receiving the services may be required to account for the VAT itself, rather than paying the VAT to the supplier. “While anything that stops unscrupulous traders from effectively stealing VAT is to be applauded, it should also be noted that the new law’s implementation is going to have serious consequences for all construction firms whether they operate within the rules or not,” continued Zoe Stollard. “For example, construction businesses which make an onward supply of construction services themselves will be forced to adapt their existing accounting systems to process this reverse charge which could well create cash flow issues, especially as they can no longer use the VAT collected from customers as working capital before it is paid to HMRC.” Clarke Willmott and accountancy firm Milsted Langdon have been holding seminars to alert construction firms about the coming legislation and highlighting what it could mean to their financial position. Julian Borley, Milsted Langdon’s Director of VAT, said: “HMRC believe that organised criminal gangs are exploiting the current rules. “They provide the construction works to bona fide contracting business and are paid for their services plus VAT. “However, the VAT collected is not paid to HMRC and the fraudulent business disappears before HMRC realise that there is an issue. “This presents a risk to the genuine business as HMRC’s only recourse is to argue that the amount charged by the fraudulent business is not actually VAT and cannot therefore be recovered by the genuine business.” Zoe Stollard explained that one of the unintended consequences of the new rules is that it will be detrimental to most sub-contractors’ cash flows. “The tax point for construction services usually means that contractors are paid the VAT on their services before they have to pay the VAT to HMRC,” she said. “Most businesses have to account for VAT on a quarterly basis, meaning some businesses have been paid VAT up to three months before it is due to be paid to HMRC.” “It is common practice within the industry for this money to be used to buy building materials and pay for expenditure.” “Businesses further down the supply chain need to realise that this benefit will be taken away from them with the introduction of the reverse charge.” Julian Borley added: “There are just five months to go until this new law is brought in by HMRC and, even though there will be a settling in period, it is vital for construction companies to start preparing for this important change to their working practices and, where at all possible, take appropriate professional advice.” If you’re under VAT investigation get in touch with Cooper Parry for advice.