An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reveals how energy efficient a property is. If you are a former or current renter, you may have already seen one. They’re often provided by letting agents to assess the potential cost of energy bills — but, they can help any UK resident to carefully
When architects TP Bennett needed a trusted supplier to deliver their vision for a central London office refurbishment they knew immediately where to look. And it was Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, specifically 150m2 of the manufacturer’s configurable mesh metal K-H 400 MT tile and grid system featuring versatile hook-on planks, that
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in
Caddick Construction has agreed a partnership with health and wellness provider hero which will see all of its 140 employees benefit from a tailored health and wellbeing programme. The bespoke wellbeing package covers both mental and physical health and includes one-to-one health checks and screenings, wellbeing training for all direct
BROXTOWE Borough Council has secured a deal to bring The Arc Cinema to Beeston town centre as part of its plans to create a vibrant hub of leisure facilities and new homes in Nottinghamshire. The eight-screen cinema forms part of the mixed-use development which will include a greater choice of
Getting paid to learn, the prospect of a secure job and not graduating with a large debt are just three of the reasons which led James McCall-Smith to an apprenticeship in plumbing. Award-winning apprentice James is joining forces with WaterSafe, the UK register of approved plumbers, to promote Modern Apprenticeships
The joy of getting up and enjoying a shower in the morning cannot be overstated. However, the horror of stepping into that blissful shower to discover that your hot water cylinder is delivering nothing, but icy cold water is not the rude awakening you want. So, what causes a household
Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March 2019), Mecalac Construction Equipment UK Ltd has welcomed nine new apprentices to its Coventry manufacturing facility. Coming as part of an educational partnership with Derby College, the programme affirms Mecalac’s commitment to developing the workforce of tomorrow. Each studying towards an NVQ in
MORE than 20 senior delegates gathered in Leicester ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD, 8 March) for a round table event which explored the challenges faced in achieving true gender equality. Hosted by property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard, the event considered how a balanced workforce can be created
A record number of over 400 construction professionals gathered at ExCel, London to celebrate the 2019 Offsite Awards. As one of the most vibrant industry networking events of the year, the Offsite Awards celebrate product and service innovation, engineered by the pioneers who are taking the offsite construction industry to
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reveals how energy efficient a property is. If you are a former or current renter, you may have already seen one. They’re often provided by letting agents to assess the potential cost of energy bills — but, they can help any UK resident to carefully budget. Here, we explore their significance in more detail. Who produces an EPC? EPCs are issued by qualified assessors. Before a certificate is produced, they inspect your home, calculate the amount of energy used per m², and observe its carbon dioxide emissions (per year). This is primarily based on the energy that you use for lighting, hot water and heating. Afterwards, they match your home’s efficiency to the EPC colour-coded scale. Your property is then graded with an energy efficiency level between A and G. A represents the lowest range of running costs (92/100 and above), while G is used for the highest (1-20/100). Your EPC is valid for 10 years. With it, you can learn how green your living space is. What are its benefits? You can use your EPC to improve the energy efficiency of your home. In the UK, this record typically displays two ratings columns. One presents the current grade of your home; the other suggests an attainable higher figure. Almost always, the latter presents how much you could possibly save in energy costs. This can benefit you as an individual and wider society. From an environmental perspective, it could motivate people to become more conscious of their energy consumption. It may also enable people to reduce their bills. In addition, with a high EPC rating, Britons stand to heighten the value of their property. So, its rewards can be enjoyed by all. How Can I Improve My Rating? If your EPC rating isn’t as high as you would like it to be, don’t worry. There are easy ways to improve it. And they can improve the comfort and value of your property, too. Thermal insulation is usually the best place to start. Double glazed windows, for example, could raise your home’s heat retention rate. Loft and wall insulation can help with this, too. With these modifications, you may be able to lower your energy use. This can increase your EPC rating and limit your monthly outgoings. Additionally, through regular boiler checks, you can make sure that your living area is as energy-efficient as possible. With simple steps, you can strengthen the green value of where you live. An EPC can be a valuable tool — one that can enable us to save both money and the planet. Now that you know how, you could very well maximise your home’s energy efficiency. This is an exciting time for smart power consumption.
When architects TP Bennett needed a trusted supplier to deliver their vision for a central London office refurbishment they knew immediately where to look. And it was Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, specifically 150m2 of the manufacturer’s configurable mesh metal K-H 400 MT tile and grid system featuring versatile hook-on planks, that they specified for areas of the ground floor of 65 Gresham Street. Project director Pragna Shah said: “The product needed to suit an adaptive, flexible and creative design for our work with a client that is an industry disruptor and has a brand message of ‘out of the ordinary’.” And that proved the case from the moment go as the Armstrong systems were originally specified for a dining hall and informal lounge with adjacent booths on one side but by the time it came to installation the dining hall had become open-plan office space. Nevertheless, the jet black (RAL 9005 with 5% gloss) mesh metal tiles from Armstrong, customised with a larger-than-usual 70% open area mesh and installed using a standard crossing box and c-profile suspension system with 75mm trim strips and custom metal bulkheads around the complete perimeter of the space, deliver the industrial aesthetic the architect was looking for, complete with functionality as the exposed services above the ceiling needed to be accessible. Pragna Shah said: “The Armstrong system suited the design intent. The mesh ceiling was complicated in that it needed to meet lots of criteria, such as access and fixed sizes, and we needed a trusted supplier to help us deliver our vision. “It helps to create a more contemporary and industrial aesthetic with the addition of up lighting creating an inviting atmosphere. The client is an exciting organisation and our partnership has delivered a workspace that enables new ways of working and captures the vitality and essence of their brand.” The Armstrong systems were installed over two months by a team of up to 10 from specialist sub-contractor OCP Contracts for fit-out and refurbishment specialists BW: Workplace Experts who required the installation to be defect free at completion. OCP are a member of Armstrong’s Omega network of approved ceiling installers. OCP’s contracts manager Charles Corbyn said: “Due to the complex nature of the bespoke mesh metal ceiling, OCP liaised with Armstrong’s technical department and together ensured we could achieve procurement for the project. ‘With OCP’s team of specialist fixers, it allowed for a straightforward and perfect installation which is versatile and met what the client had specified. OCP were privileged to have been given the opportunity to install the bespoke ceiling system and are excited by the changes within the industry towards more specialist ceiling systems and unique designs.” More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/.
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings. “Membership of BESA is a recognized badge of quality within the industry and we are delighted to have been admitted to membership” said Colin Chambers, MD of Platinum whose business provides regular facilities maintenance programmes for a range of customers in both the public and private sectors. “BESA acts to gain agreement from a wide range of specifiers, clients and insurers to ensure that membership is a requirement in a high proportion of future tenders”, he said. Platinum deals with a range of building compliance issues from ventilation cleans, kitchen canopy and extract cleans, water hygiene and legionella testing and plant room maintenance for all types of buildings, including hotels, restaurants, leisure and shopping centres, nursing homes and housing associations. Its specialty lies in bringing water, heating and ventilating systems up to the legal standard. The company was presented with its BESA membership certificate at a Scottish Vent Hygiene Forum earlier this year by Rab Fletcher, BESA Scotland Chair, and Iain McCaskey, Head of BESA Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Caddick Construction has agreed a partnership with health and wellness provider hero which will see all of its 140 employees benefit from a tailored health and wellbeing programme. The bespoke wellbeing package covers both mental and physical health and includes one-to-one health checks and screenings, wellbeing training for all direct line managers, mental health first aid training and ongoing workshops throughout 2019. Managing Director Andrew Murray from Caddick Construction said: “Our employees are our greatest asset and we want to ensure they feel valued and supported. We are thrilled to be leading the way when it comes to mental resilience and wellbeing in the workplace – issues which should not and cannot be ignored. As employers we take our responsibility to our team members seriously and want to support them in as many ways possible to ensure they are both healthy and happy inside and outside of work.” He added: “The hero team impressed us with the depth and level of support they provide behind the scenes. I’m confident this project will deliver tangible results for our staff that will enhance and improve the health and wellbeing our employees, whether office based or on site.” Right now, one in six construction workers in the UK is experiencing depression, anxiety or stress. · In the UK men remain three times as likely to take their own lives than women. · The highest suicide rate in the UK was for men aged 45-49. Joe Gaunt, CEO of hero said: “It’s always rewarding to see businesses waking up to the fact they play a large and important part in the health and wellbeing of their team. It’s great to see Caddick Construction leading the way and championing wellness at work in such a bold and committed manner. The ‘Mindset’ programme of events have been purposely designed to offer comprehensive screenings and health checks that cover everything from blood pressure to cholesterol and blood tests too.” “We have been working with Caddick to understand the current ‘state of the workforce’ enabling us to create a bespoke programme, which will deliver results and have immediate and long-term effects. The hero Discovery Report demonstrated clear indicators of specific support around what the Caddick team wanted to see. And, as a result, we were able to design a bespoke and tailored programme perfect for Caddick employees.” 2019 marks hero’s second year and since its launch in May 2018 it has acquired two businesses and established exciting and innovative partnerships with organisations such as Moda, Les Mills, MyZone and Jamie Peacock.
BROXTOWE Borough Council has secured a deal to bring The Arc Cinema to Beeston town centre as part of its plans to create a vibrant hub of leisure facilities and new homes in Nottinghamshire. The eight-screen cinema forms part of the mixed-use development which will include a greater choice of food and drink outlets and 132 new homes. Negotiations continue on 50 per cent of the commercial units available for food and drink outlets and the sale of the residential site has been agreed. Councillor Richard Jackson, Leader of the Council for Broxtowe Borough Council said: “This is a significant milestone in Beeston’s development which we are excited to announce. We have been in negotiations with three leading cinema operators for several months and selected Arc Cinema because of its approach to delivering high-quality screenings tailored to local communities.” Director for Melcorpo, Brian Gilligan said: “We are delighted to be launching The Arc Cinema in Beeston; I’m confident our cinema will complement the successful regeneration of this thriving town centre. “The Arc Cinema offers customers a premium cinema experience combining 700 supremely comfortable electric recliner seats, cutting-edge technology like laser projection with a friendly, personal atmosphere.” Work is expected to start on the site in August with an anticipated opening date in late 2020. The new cinema will contribute to Beeston’s night time economy, revitalising the town centre and creating a vibrant new hub where people want to spend time. Councillor Richard Jackson added: “The Arc Cinema will be an asset to Beeston and I’m really pleased the operator has selected the town as one if its locations to launch its UK rollout of 10 sites over the next three years. Our development presents an exciting opportunity for restaurants, bars and cafes looking to expand in the East Midlands.” The scheme forms the second phase of a £50 million development which involved the refurbishment of the shopping precinct, new and improved public transport connecting the town to the NET tram network, more retailers, cafes and a gym. The development is being marketed by agents HEB Tel: 0115 950 6611 and JLL Tel: 0115 908 2120. The project is also being supported by the D2N2 Local Growth Fund pt 3 N2TC Fund. For more information on the scheme and to view the designs, visit https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/for-business/town-centres/beeston/beeston-square/
Getting paid to learn, the prospect of a secure job and not graduating with a large debt are just three of the reasons which led James McCall-Smith to an apprenticeship in plumbing. Award-winning apprentice James is joining forces with WaterSafe, the UK register of approved plumbers, to promote Modern Apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week, from March 4 to 8. James says: “I’m in my fourth and final year of my apprenticeship, which I’m spending on the tools with my employer Derek Scott Plumbing & Heating. The first three years were a combination of college study and work-based training – the mix works well and kept me engaged and motivated – although I prefer tools to textbooks! “Getting paid to learn is a huge plus for me – you don’t finish your training with a large debt. A good employer will look after you and often give you a job at the end of your apprenticeship. It gives you a sense of security.” James says he loves the broad variety of work in plumbing but was never tempted by the fast-track courses: “There’s no substitute for proper training and you won’t gain the right qualifications without it. What you learn on the job you won’t always find in a textbook.” James, who was crowned champion of the plumbing competition SkillPLUMB at WorldSkills UK Live last year, is completing his apprenticeship with a WaterSafe-approved business. He says: “Having WaterSafe approval reassures your customers – after all, people’s health can be at stake so it’s important to be fully qualified and registered.” WaterSafe advises future plumbers in England to avoid fast-track courses and work towards the new apprenticeships developed for plumbing and domestic heating which automatically lead to a level 3 qualification. By choosing an apprenticeship with a recognised training provider, future plumbers will: combine practical hands-on experience with their studies receive a regular salary with a contract of employment and holiday leave steer clear of rogue trainers and fast-track courses gain industry-approved qualifications. And James’ advice for young people considering an apprenticeship in plumbing? “Get your CV out there and don’t be afraid to approach people directly – be proactive and enthusiastic, take the initiative. I did lots of research online and got to know all about the local companies.” To find out more about training to be a plumber and for the qualifications you need to become WaterSafe approved visit watersafe.org.uk/becomeaplumber. For more information on apprenticeships visit gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships. For information on apprenticeships in Scotland visit the SNIPEF website at becomeaplumber.com/apprenticeshipsscotland, for Northern Ireland visit nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/apprenticeships and for Wales visit www.careerswales.com.
The joy of getting up and enjoying a shower in the morning cannot be overstated. However, the horror of stepping into that blissful shower to discover that your hot water cylinder is delivering nothing, but icy cold water is not the rude awakening you want. So, what causes a household to run out of hot water? More importantly, what can be done about it? I once lived in a rental apartment which had a hot water cylinder so small that in order for me to wash and condition my hair required a two-part shower. I’d wash my hair, add the conditioner, turn the shower off and wait for the hot water cylinder to heat up again, then wash my conditioner out. This was great if you wanted a really deep conditioning treatment, not so great if you were running late for work. In order to make sure that you and your household don’t go without hot water, there are a few tips and tricks you can look at. What Type of Cylinder Do You Have? Although continuous gas hot water cylinders are becoming more popular (continuous cylinders are regularly installed overseas), in Australia one of the primary types of cylinder that has been installed in houses and apartments for years is the standard storage tank. These come in a range of sizes and work by filling the cylinder with cold water and heating the water, often with an electrical element. This type of cylinder is prone to providing cold showers, because once the heated water has been drained from the tank, it refills with cold water and needs to be reheated. Sometimes the problem is caused by the household having a hot water cylinder that is simply too small for it’s needs, so it is quickly drained (although it also quickly refills and reheats). However, a larger tank may not always be the solution. One person having a luxurious long bath may completely drain the tank, leaving no hot water for an hour or more. Hot water for everyone If you have the storage tank type of hot water cylinder, your first option to making sure that there is enough hot water to go around is to have a discussion about anti-social behaviour and hogging all the hot water. From there, your next option is to work out if you have the right sized tank for your needs. It has been suggested that the average person uses 35l of hot water a day – obviously this is an estimate and will be subject to seasonal fluctuation as well. If there are two of you in a 1-bedroom apartment, a 50l storage cylinder may work. If you are a family of 6, this is unlikely to provide anyone with a warm shower. The South Australian government has provided a calculator that helps you work out how much hot water you need and looks at your options for hot water supply: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment/using-saving-energy/water-heaters/water-heater-calculator. This can provide you a great starting point but talk to your hot water installation professional before making your final decision, as they may have suggestions or advice that fits your specific location and needs; the online calculator is great, but may not think about access, sunlight/shade or a multitude of other considerations that an experienced installer will notice immediately. Hot Water, All the Time Once you start looking at options for hot water supply, the idea of instantaneous hot water starts to develop huge appeal. Particularly if you are the one regularly getting a cold shower. Having a gas system can provide a continuous supply of hot water, but people may think they are unable to use this system because there is no natural gas line available in their area. However, these systems can be installed using gas bottles as well as directly to a supply line, so the only issue comes with how easy it is to access the gas bottle to exchange it when it runs out. Free Hot Water Another tempting option is using a solar heater (click here) – either purely solar or solar as a boost to an electrical system. Although not actually free, using a solar hot water solution can bring down the costs of heating your water.
Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March 2019), Mecalac Construction Equipment UK Ltd has welcomed nine new apprentices to its Coventry manufacturing facility. Coming as part of an educational partnership with Derby College, the programme affirms Mecalac’s commitment to developing the workforce of tomorrow. Each studying towards an NVQ in Performing Manufacturing Operations, the students have completed their classroom-based period and will now gain practical experience working across departments including ‘quality’ and ‘production’. Alongside supporting personal development and building real-world skills, the 12-month placement will provide hands-on experience and put academic theory into practice. Gregg Horne, General Manager at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK Ltd, commented: “The biggest challenge facing the UK construction industry is undoubtably its skills deficit. Currently, the recruitment of new talent is failing to keep up with the rate of retirement, which is limiting activity and increasing labour costs. “At Mecalac, we wanted to tackle the issue head-on and, as such, have adopted a joined-up approach to improving skills and knowledge. Through our training initiatives, we target every stage of the education system – from primary schools right up to Universities. The programme even includes training modules for experienced employees to learn new skills and competences. “Partnering with Derby College to offer practical training for post-GCSE students is a key part of this initiative. Alongside being paid for their time, candidates work towards achieving a City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate and Level 2 NVQ in Performing Manufacturing Operations at the end of the course.” Mecalac’s vision is for more young construction professionals to enter the sector. Through training and education initiatives, the global leader in construction equipment design and manufacture aims to tackle the skills deficit and hopes that other businesses are inspired to follow suit. For more information about Mecalac, or the company’s innovative portfolio of compact construction equipment, visit https://www.mecalac.com/en/.
MORE than 20 senior delegates gathered in Leicester ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD, 8 March) for a round table event which explored the challenges faced in achieving true gender equality. Hosted by property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard, the event considered how a balanced workforce can be created and what practical steps can be taken to achieve this. “We discussed a range of topics – from gender stereotypes acquired by children and women taking career breaks to have children, to hiring policies and the importance of positive female role models,” said Aarti Raj, director at Pick Everard. The round table was held yesterday (Weds 6 March) to celebrate IWD, which is an annual campaign. This year’s IWD theme is ‘balance for better’. Aarti continued: “This is Pick Everard’s second round table event. We focussed on the theme ‘balance for better’ this year, so invited men into the discussion. This created a balanced perspective on an issue that’s not just a female issue – it’s a business issue. “It’s not just the construction industry which has a gender imbalance, so we were pleased to welcome representatives from the professional services, education and legal sectors to provide their thoughts and experiences on the topic. “We considered how the private sector can learn from the public sector in terms of a closer integration with society and communities, reflecting society’s diversity in the workforce. By sharing our experiences across various different industries, we can continue to develop a better understanding of best practice – which will ultimately benefit us all.” Duncan Green, managing partner at Pick Everard added: “We know that the construction industry has some way to go to achieve real equality. At Pick Everard, we aspire to be a positive force within the sector and are committed to doing as much as we can – through events like this – to promote opportunities available in construction, facilitate stronger industry connectivity and celebrate female role models. “Thank you to everyone who attended.” To join in the conversation on social media, follow @PickEverard on Twitter and use the hashtags #IWDPerspective #BalanceForBetter. Visit www.pickeverard.co.uk to download the full podcast of the event.
A record number of over 400 construction professionals gathered at ExCel, London to celebrate the 2019 Offsite Awards. As one of the most vibrant industry networking events of the year, the Offsite Awards celebrate product and service innovation, engineered by the pioneers who are taking the offsite construction industry to new heights. The Structural Timber Association (STA) is proud to have been announced winner of the Health & Safety Award for the organisation’s Site Safe Policy. The award acknowledges outstanding health and safety disciplines, which empowers and protects construction professionals while enabling healthy onsite environments. Offsite Award judges were impressed by the policy strategy, which is mandatory for all STA members and is independently audited for the reassurance of insurance companies, customers and third-party warranty bodies. The policy stipulates information provision at tender stage and ensures that manufacturing members, suppliers and erectors of structural timber building systems work closely with customers to provide clear, concise information and health and safety guidance on all building sites. Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of STA adds: ‘We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award for health and safety in the offsite construction industry. Safety is paramount in manufacturing, and an easily-accessible health and safety policy that’s flexible to different company needs is pivotal to the wellbeing of providers and service users.’ The Site Safety Policy offers stand-out flexibility: the guide is divided into seven key requirements, each of which can be applied in numerous ways to enhance health and safety procedures. This means that members have the freedom to implement the key requirements in ways that suit their business models for easy integration. STA has also recently updated the policy to ensure that that the requirements are flexible and appropriate for all buildings, regardless of size and location. The policy applies to all structural timber building system members, including offsite manufacturers, fabricators, contractors and installers who work with principal contractors. Members are audited to ensure they are achieving the functional requirements of the Site Safe Policy. Both the policy and the audit process have been developed over many years to support members and provide professional building system provider services. By following the policy, members can engage with customers and enable the best project outcomes. The strategy creates a clear distinction in the expected health and safety processes of members and non-members within the offsite manufacturing sector. To find out how STA membership could benefit your company go to: http://www.structuraltimber.co.uk/members/benefits