Any work at height carries risk. Preventing accidents from falls relies on all stakeholders using an informed, joined-up approach to practices and systems. Specifiers, contractors, system installers and end-users all play a part in risk mitigation. James Sainsbury, Fall Protection Sales leader for MSA Safety, explains why a holistic approach
Industrial plant personnel will need the help of industrial dust collectors to ensure that employees and the working environment is safe for general working conditions and to meet policies set by the regulating bodies. These devices can be quite pricey thus it makes it a prime concern for most businesses
Doctoral students need substantial research which is a piece of document in order to get doctoral students. When it comes to writing the dissertation, many students fail to complete it because of not being able to give enough time. However, it is not difficult to write a dissertation if the
The world’s most widely used green building rating system, LEED, is getting updated to improve building performance and to integrate the latest reference standards. The current LEED rating system, which is LEED v4, was launched at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia on November 20, 2013. Over the
TODD Architects is pleased to report that construction work is about to commence on The Mercantile office development in Belfast following approval by Belfast City Council. This landmark office building is located on a prime commercial site within the main public square and civic space in Belfast City Centre directly
IMPORTANT plans for the future supply of homes in Edinburgh have been given the go-ahead by Councillors at a hearing on the 22 MAY 2019. The 655-home development at Cammo Estate is a consortium project by CALA Homes and David Wilson Homes and includes 164 much-needed affordable homes. The development
No one wants to come home to find water damage to their basement. There are easy steps to take which can lower your risk and prevent this experience in your home. Companies like Helitech outline the basic ways to keep your basement safe from water damage. If you use professionals
The government has confirmed that it will allocate £200 million to fix private tower blocks that are wrapped in combustible aluminium composite material cladding, the same kind that sent the Grenfell Tower block up in flames back in June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 people. This decision is a
Kingsfold-based builders’ merchant NYEs Building Supplies has raised £794 for the charity Rainy Day Trust during a family fun day at its depot. The event, named ‘Have a NYEs day’, was held to celebrate the company’s recent rebrand and completion of its new 1000m2 warehouse. Attended by more than
Since the beginning of time, humankind needed tools. They used tools to hunt, forage, make fire, and survive. It made everything so much easier, even in those early days. Since then, humans used tools and invented machines to help them in everyday activities and hard work. Exhausting physical labor has
Any work at height carries risk. Preventing accidents from falls relies on all stakeholders using an informed, joined-up approach to practices and systems. Specifiers, contractors, system installers and end-users all play a part in risk mitigation. James Sainsbury, Fall Protection Sales leader for MSA Safety, explains why a holistic approach to safety is needed, and highlights the potential risks of making ill-informed changes to a defined safety system specification. Gravity is a an ever-present force. It doesn’t offer second chances. And however diligent safety planning and preparations may be, a fall is always a possibility. With workers’ lives at stake, there’s simply no excuse for inadequate fall protection systems and personal safety equipment. Accident prevention: the UK picture Despite the fact that almost all falls from height can be prevented, it’s a sobering reminder that they still remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities. The most recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show that in 2017 alone, falls accounted for 28% of all UK fatalities in the workplace. Digging deeper, between 2013/14 and 2017/18, falls from a height accounted for more than a quarter of all fatal injuries to workers. That’s an average of 37 deaths a year. In addition, a staggering 43,000 non-fatal accidents involved falls from height too. Over 60% of deaths when working at height involve falls from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms and roof edges and through fragile roofs. It’s no wonder that HSE research has also revealed 19% of people think their health and safety is at risk at work (2010). Whilst the UK, like much of Europe, is a mature market, with comprehensive regulatory standards for safety systems and practices, there is still much room for improvement. Setting realistic safety system budgets, honouring specifications, understanding the suitability and quality of different equipment, accurately assessing risk and training users to be competent are all on the agenda. Creating the plan: specifiers As the first link in the chain of creating safer working at height, the value of consulting specifier professionals cannot be overstated. The decisions, assessments and recommendations they provide result in the most appropriate fall protection system specification for the building at the outset: one that will maximise protection for users and allow work at height to be carried out more safely and efficiently. A system specification can be defined by architects, consultants or engineers, or by safety system industry professionals, such as professional installers. A thorough specification takes account of both the unique risks posed by the structure and the practical access requirements needed for safe works. It will also mean full compliance with all local and national health and safety and regulatory conditions. Manufacturers, too, can provide consultation and system design, helping to make sure that the very best equipment and system is installed. Controlling the project: contractors One of the most important elements of the specification – at least for contractors – is the independently-calculated budget allowance required to procure and install the recommended system. Unfortunately, specification-switching down-the-line by UK contractors seeking to reduce costs can be problematic. This worrying trend has the potential to put workers’ lives at risk. Simply changing or substituting elements for alternatives that are perceived as less costly can be short sighted and dangerous. Any specified system for working at height, and any attendant cost, is usually proposed for sound safety reasons. High-quality equipment benefits from advanced engineering and rigorous testing, both of which contribute to full compliance and reliable performance. Lesser products may wear, degrade or fail more quickly, requiring premature replacement and increasing Total Cost of Ownership. When equipment is well designed and easy to use, the risks of equipment failure are naturally lower. Putting it all in place: Installers The performance and safety of fall protection equipment depends on correct installation, testing and commissioning. Quality installers have a responsibility to check that only technically-competent professionals install equipment. Leading companies are fully familiar with the leading manufacturer systems, are usually accredited, and will have undergone specialist training to be certain systems are installed exactly in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, including all compliance checks at sign-off. Once equipment is installed, the installer will be responsible for commissioning, testing and ongoing maintenance and, in some cases, arranging user training. Experienced installers are also used to quickly overcoming any unexpected challenges a building may pose – for example, undertaking a retrofit system installation within an older or historic building. They will also spot and highlight any new risks or findings that may impact the effectiveness of the fall protection system. Confident and capable: end users There’s no value in provisioning fall protection equipment if workers are unable, or are unwilling, to use it properly. Whilst overseeing safety, risk assessments and method statements for those that work at height falls to the site manager and/or health and safety officer, all equipment users should be ‘competent persons’. That means expert PPE and or fall equipment system training from a qualified provider. Can users check equipment before use? Do they know when and how to use it correctly? Do they possess the expertise and confidence to make the right decisions at the right time? Can they execute an agreed rescue plan if needed? Safety and accountability: inextricably linked If UK working at height safety statistics are to improve, the sequential chain from specifier through to user requires close scrutiny. At every stage each party has a duty of care to respect the integrity of what should remain an optimal safety system. Specification-switching and making arbitrary changes to carefully chosen solutions may have serious implications. Equally, users deserve to feel confident using systems, and must be supported with quality training and rigorous equipment checks. Most falls from height are preventable. All parties engaged in fall protection should be aligned and accountable to keeping workers safe.
Industrial plant personnel will need the help of industrial dust collectors to ensure that employees and the working environment is safe for general working conditions and to meet policies set by the regulating bodies. These devices can be quite pricey thus it makes it a prime concern for most businesses to take care of them to avoid any unnecessary part replacements. This article will present some tips to make sure that the industrial dust collector is operating at top safety performance level. Use deflagration Protection There are times wherein a dust collector handles dust that may combust. In cases such as this the industrial dust collector must be equipped with deflagration protection. A common, inexpensive and passive method is by use of venting. When predetermined pressures are reached inside the collector, an explosion vent opens which will then allow the extra pressure and fireball from the deflagration to exit to an area that will not disrupt operations nor will damage any devices. There exists flameless vent which consists of a casing that will include a panel of a mesh that can withstand high temperatures while also absorbing heat and flame. The way it will be used is by installing it over a standard explosion vent. Whenever a combustion happens, the vent will open while lowering the pressure and direct the fireball into the casing mentioned earlier. There will also be mesh layers whose job is to absorb the heat and flame while and then allowing a bigger portion of the pressure wave to pass easily towards a safe zone outside the working environment. The mechanism will allow venting in the conventional sense to be completed indoors. Otherwise, it may be able to endanger staff or add unpredictable secondary explosions. It is worth noting however that there are indeed other protection devices that currently exist in the market. Ultimately, the best recourse may be to work with your industrial dust collector expert or representative to search the best that fit your requirements. Study capabilities of your collector It is vital for plant staff to be able to understanding the levels of pressure that the industrial dust collector is capable of. Other important decisions that should be pondered upon are the specification and selection of vent sizing. By comparing these venting vessel sturdiness and matching it to the deflagration strength and vent burst pressure you will be able to effectively protect your industrial dust collectors from deflagration. Check the ductwork Fire protection agencies around the world will often have the same opinion. They will require that should be protection for all the ductwork and the safety processes upstream of the industrial dust collector. Configure the ducting in such a way that it will be equipped with a flow-activated isolation valve that will then function as a protection of downstream work areas and processes. It will be protected from the propagation of flames and the excess pressure ported from inlet duct when deflagration occurs in a dust industrial dust collector. During the occurrence of such deflagration, the pressure wave will shut the valve off which will then prevent any passage of fires, flames, and smoke up to areas far upstream from the valve. In this case, the valve will then latch shut and can only be manually opened. If the mechanism is activated, there will be components in the valve which can be damaged and only with a thorough inspection can suffice before returning the valve back into service. The hoppers should not be used to collect dust A rookie mistake that can be often done by most that are starting out in manufacturing is the use of hoppers as a means to store dust. It should be understood that the hopper’s sole purpose is for funnelling process dust towards the storage bins. The dust that would soon fill up the hopper will surely create a potential fire or deflagration risk. Another point to remember is that the dust in the hopper can also deflate the industrial dust collector’s performance by obstructing the system and preventing the pulse-cleaning from completing the task it was intended to. The self-dumping hoppers can be an easy dust disposal mechanism all the while protecting against unwanted dust leaks among the collector and hoppers. Pulse-cleaning controls is an option The industrial dust collector’s system for cleaning is designed to work in hand in hand with filter design. There are some cleaning controls that can provide an easy way to keep filters clean without the added hassle of having to maintain it on a daily basis. The continuous cleaning option can be used for the porous kind of dusts, that may included silica and other minerals, high dust loading applications like thermal spray or plasma cutting, or some of the lighter ones such as paper fines and fumed silica. There are also on-demand cleaning which are recommended for almost all of the dust types. There is a setting monitor that causes a difference in pressure from the clean-air section all the way to the dirty-air filter section of the collector. This will allow the operator to set a small range of pressures to be used and pause the cleaning of the cartridge. This setting can also use the smallest amount of pressurized air and can afford you the optimum filter cleaning efficiency and will allow the filter to last longer than usual. When all else fails, you can opt for down time cleaning which can allow for pulsing at timed intervals at the end of each operational sting. This can also be done after completing a batch process or after an disruption in the system that may diminish the performance of the filters. After the period, the unit can now be turned off completely. This is a vital capability because cleaning cartridges beyond what is necessary, especially during operation can not only cause higher emissions but can also shorten the life of the cartridges and force you to spend more on energy simply because of overusing of the
Doctoral students need substantial research which is a piece of document in order to get doctoral students. When it comes to writing the dissertation, many students fail to complete it because of not being able to give enough time. However, it is not difficult to write a dissertation if the student chooses the right topic and strategy. In some countries, thesis and dissertation are interchangeable whereas, in some countries, thesis work is done after a master’s degree and dissertation after graduation. The dissertation is no doubt a most important part of the entire educational career of the student. It is the last stage of the educational career and has a lot of academic value. Most of the students fail to give their best in dissertation work and become completely disappointed. There are many complex and hard challenges that a student comes across and loses his enthusiasm with which he starts working on the dissertation The key to writing an effective dissertation is to get the right direction to focus and accelerate. Here are a few guidelines to help you get started with the dissertation writing service UK without any problem. 1. Make a timetable to follow: As a matter of fact, writing the dissertation comes with very limited time. Most of the students face the problem of the limited time period. Therefore, it is required by all the students to keep their speed of dissertation fast so that they can write in time. The best to do this is to assign yourself a deadline for completing a specific portion of the dissertation. Try to figure out how much work you are needed to do each day to reach your goals. Assign several hours to yourself; you are capable of working in order to write a dissertation. Make a timetable and stick to it. 2. Structure your dissertation task properly: In order to write the dissertation well, you need to know how to format and structure your task. There are certain components of the dissertation which need to be understood. Every component of this document has a specific place in the document. For example, the objectives of writing the dissertation can never be written after specifying the methodology. As a dissertation writer, you should know which detail to add where. In general, the components are added in the following sequence Title Objectives of the dissertation Research to be conducted Strategies Potential expected results Timeframe References from where the data has been collected 3. Edit the language of the dissertation properly: Generally, the students are asked to write their dissertation in the English language all across the world. Those students really face problem in writing the dissertation in English if their native language is not English. In such a situation, there are two things you can do: Search for a fellow student in the class whose native language is English. You can ask your fellow to read the document carefully and point out any grammatical and spelling mistakes in the document. If that native speaker is your friends, you are going to get it done very easily Another option for you is to get the paid editor who will do the job of editing the dissertation to make it free from the spelling and grammatical mistakes. There are many professional editors who are willing to provide their services. Make sure that the editor you have chosen is a native English speaker who can do this job easily Another option is to avail the dissertation writing service in the UK that writes the dissertation document for the students facing different types of problems in terms of writing, researching, resourcing, etc. 4. Get regular feedback: As a student, you must be working under somebody’s supervision. In many universities, the supervisors are appointed to guide the students. It is advisable to share your work with your supervisor after regular interval of time. This will help you get the necessary feedback from them sooner. It will be easier for you to remove the mistakes from the dissertation document which have pointed out by the supervisor if you do it early. The revision one along the way also saves you from the revisions at the end which are very time consuming and hectic. 5. Conduct comprehensive research: Researching is a major part of writing the dissertation document. You will never be able to write the dissertation document in time if you don’t consult right and relevant sources for information. It is always advisable to find several resources from where you can collect data for your dissertation. While adding the researched content into your work, make sure that the content you have added is relevant to the topic on which you are conducting the research. Also, check the previous research on the same topic to know who to make your dissertation a difficult piece of article.
The world’s most widely used green building rating system, LEED, is getting updated to improve building performance and to integrate the latest reference standards. The current LEED rating system, which is LEED v4, was launched at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia on November 20, 2013. Over the last years, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was working on the LEED rating system to integrate the lessons learned from the green building projects. With LEED v4.1, the green building projects will be able to make a bigger contribution to reducing the global climate change, improve building performance, as well as expanding activities that positively impact human health and well-being. On March 2018, registration for the beta version of the LEED Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M) rating system was launched. As of January 2019, the registration is open for the LEED Building Design + Construction (LEED BD+C) and the LEED Interior Design + Construction (LEED ID+C) LEED v4.1 beta rating systems. The beta versions will be available throughout 2019 and with the feedback received from the green building projects that pursue LEED v4.1, the updated rating system will be launched after public commenting and the approval phase. People that are planning to take LEED exams are also curious about this change and want to know when the LEED credentialing exams will be effected with this change. The LEED credentialing exams like LEED Green Associate or LEED AP BD+C, will be untouched throughout the 2019 and continue to be based on LEED v4. Once the beta rating system launches on 2020, the U.S. Green Building Council will start updating the LEED exams to reflect the LEED v4.1 with a prior notice. Even though the exact dates are not yet announced by USGBC, the LEED exams will be based on the LEED 4.1 version by the end of June 2020. The current beta rating systems are not yet finalized and will definitely see some revisions. With those revisions, the USGBC will start updating the LEED reference guides which will include the finalized v4.1 rating system. At that point, the LEED credentialing exams will be updated with a prior notice. USGBC will allow for a specific period of time for test-takers to take the LEED v4 exam as they had started their studies while the LEED v4.1 was still in beta. During this time frame, LEED exam prep providers (like us) will also be able to update their LEED courses, LEED practice tests, and study guides. What’s New in LEED v4.1? First of all, LEED v4.1 is not a full version change, rather it is a critical update to reflect the lessons learned from the LEED v4 rating systems. For LEED BD+C projects, there are some revisions on credit requirements to streamline the certification process, and credits like Low-Emitting Materials, Daylight, Rainwater, and Heat Island Reduction are more impacted with this change. The credits that were tested through the LEED Pilot Credit Library are expected to become actual credits in the newer rating system. The performance thresholds of some credits have been updated to be more straightforward. Additionally, with LEED v4.1, the international projects will have easier time achieveing the LEED certification as it will contain more options on complying with the project’s local standards. From the beta version we can also say that not all of the prerequisites and credits are impacted with this change. Approximately one-third of all the LEED BD+C prerequisites and credits are expected to stay as is. In summary, with these revions we can say that LEED v4.1 will be more performance based and is more focused on implementation. LEEDUCATE Inc. | LEED Exam Prep Provider
TODD Architects is pleased to report that construction work is about to commence on The Mercantile office development in Belfast following approval by Belfast City Council. This landmark office building is located on a prime commercial site within the main public square and civic space in Belfast City Centre directly to the rear of City Hall. TODD Architects were delighted to be appointed by Killultagh Estates when this property initially came to the market and was ultimately secured through development feasibility and financial offer. The design development was not without its challenges along the way but has resulted in a planning approval for 95,000sq ft of development over nine floors together with a basement. “We are delighted to have appointed TODD Architects to have the pivotal role within our creative team behind The Mercantile. This is a key development for us and demonstrates our commitment to the City where we see this development as a rebirth of one of Belfast’s foremost business locations overlooking the magnificent City Hall.” – Laura McCarthy, Senior Asset Manager; Killultagh Estates The architectural approach is contemporary but respectful of context, utilising cut stonework and ‘bronze’ anodised aluminium to articulate the verticality. It is anticipated that the Ground Floor and Basement will be occupied by restaurant or leisure uses to provide ‘activity’ at street level, with the upper levels providing high-quality and flexible office space capable of a variety of fit-out and workplace permutations and bespoke solutions accessed via a double-height corporate foyer. The Donegall Square South façade is primarily glazed with three projecting bays providing good daylight quality and outlook. The floorplates start to set back to reflect the notional ‘shoulder’ height adopted around the Donegall Square area providing accessible roof terraces looking across the wider city centre area. The demolition of the existing building is underway with construction of the new building due to complete in Quarter 3 of 2020.
IMPORTANT plans for the future supply of homes in Edinburgh have been given the go-ahead by Councillors at a hearing on the 22 MAY 2019. The 655-home development at Cammo Estate is a consortium project by CALA Homes and David Wilson Homes and includes 164 much-needed affordable homes. The development will provide a unique mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, terraced homes, colonies as well as detached family homes. A spokesperson on behalf of the consortium, said: “We must thank the local community first and foremost for engaging with us throughout, helping us to shape the final proposals which have evolved over the past two years. “We fully understand how important the junctions at Maybury and Barnton are and traffic was a key concern for many people at the outset. “We feel the improvements made through Planning Gain contributions will benefit the wider community and those commuting in or out the city. “Following yesterday’s decision our focus now turns to assisting the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure a timely delivery of these improvements” A key component of the site is the extent of publicly accessible green space – which totals over a third of the entire development and includes linear parks, a seven-hectare park, and over 700 new specimen trees. In addition, a half kilometre 20-metre wide green corridor at Maybury Avenue will feature a much-needed cycle and footpath detached from Maybury Road. Further improvements to the walking and cycling network will be made from Planning Gain contributions the developments will make. In line with the Local Development Plan these routes will connect to the land at West Craigs, and as part of that development connect onwards to the Gyle and Edinburgh Park. The spokesperson added: “At the heart of the design solution has been the delivery of an outstanding landscape environment along with significant investment to improve public transport, education and health care and the delivery of an excellent pedestrian and cycle network. “Within the development site we will deliver new bus infrastructure in addition to making contributions to public transport connections to the site. “In addition, there is an exceptionally wide range of homes that will help to ease the supply shortfall that features throughout the market.” As part of the 655 homes, 25% of the development units will be of affordable tenure delivered with our Registered Social Landlord partner; comprising a wide range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and terraced homes. The affordable housing will commence as part of the initial phase of development.
No one wants to come home to find water damage to their basement. There are easy steps to take which can lower your risk and prevent this experience in your home. Companies like Helitech outline the basic ways to keep your basement safe from water damage. If you use professionals to install these basic safeguards, your basement will likely remain livable and water-free. Ways to Prevent Water Damage Basement Waterproofing Crawlspace Waterproofing Exterior Waterproofing It is important to address not just one, but all three of these components of a waterproof foundation. Once you begin to have a problem with water damage, it tends to quickly become worse. Waterproofing a basement or foundation can be a lot of work. It requires skill, and it is necessary that it be done correctly. This is an area in which you might want to consider hiring professionals rather than doing the project yourself. It’s not an easy job so leaving it to foundation repair Canyon Lake would be your best option. There are several sites online which will provide you with DIY procedures if you want to take on this task. However, by using a company like Helitech, you can ensure that you are having the best-patented components on the market installed to protect your foundation. You also will have the satisfaction of knowing that your project has been done right and that your basement is truly protected from water damage. Dangerous of Insufficient Waterproofing Of course, sitting water and constant dampness cause structural damage over time, but there are also other dangers that come along with not having your foundation effectively waterproofed. High humidity can foster the growth of mold and other undesirable bacteria, and this can attract bugs and various pests into the basement and home. Proper sealing can keep you from having to deal with these pests. Water that sits too long can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes within your home. These more aggressive pests can also spread diseases to your family and make life uncomfortable within your home. Any type of larvae growing within puddles in your basement can become a risk for your family. If you have sitting water, it is advisable to go ahead and mop it up and dry out the area with a fan. We will explore some of these best practices for maintaining a waterproof foundation in the paragraphs below. They are easy steps, which can save you a lot of money and protect both your family and your home in the long-run. You want to make sure your family is safe from risks that could cause them to be sick. Mold is often associated with sickness and household pests can carry diseases that can be communicated to your family members. These pests won’t stay in your basement for long either. If you begin to have a problem in your basement, chances are it will spread throughout the rest of your house. Basement Waterproofing The basement moisture barrier is the first line of defense in protecting a home’s basement from water damage. This barrier is made of panels and connectors which match. It can give your basement a more refined look and homey feel, while also protecting it from water damage. This structure removes water 70% faster than other drainage systems, and it is more aesthetic to look at. These panels will go right along with the walls and décor you may already have in place in your basement. While they are serving the purpose of quickly ridding the area of water in the case of flooding, they are also adding value and beauty to your home. You do not have to use a gaudy contraption to keep your basement safe and dry. Crawlspace Waterproofing For Crawlspace protection, a moisture barrier should be laid down underneath each of your home’s crawlspaces. This barrier keeps small amounts of moisture from entering your structural wood and causing slow damage, which can become detrimental over time. There are several problems that can be associated with damp crawlspaces, and you want to ensure your home is protected from these. Naturally, after rains, water seeps through the ground and the area under your crawlspace can become wet. Humidity will force this dampness up into your floorboards and your basement. This creates problems that often spread quickly. Once one area is affected, typically the rot and damage will spread to other areas of your basement and home. First, the slow rot of the wood can spread and compromise the structure of your home. Secondly, dampness promotes the growth of mold and harmful bacteria and provides a breeding ground for traditional household pests. Taking small and easy steps, like having the moisture barrier installed, can keep you from having to deal with these problems under and within your home. Professionals will lay down the moisture barrier between the ground and the structure of your crawlspaces to keep dampness from spreading and infiltrating the structure of your home. This is a simple, yet effective practice that can save you a lot of money, time, and frustration down the road. Along with the moisture barrier, sump pumps should be installed in your crawl spaces to help pump out excess water. This will minimize your drying time and keep you from having to repair water damage later down the road. Sump pumps are fairly small and inexpensive. Exterior Waterproofing Exterior basement waterproofing is just as important as protecting your basement from within. This seals the water out of your basement, and over time can prevent the costs of replacing boards and restoring your basement after water damage. This is essentially the first line of defense against water entering your basement and causing damage to your home. In exterior basement waterproofing, a sealant is applied to the outside structure of your basement, keeping water from reaching the inside of the basement in the first place. Professionals are able to apply this sealant to places that would not necessarily be easy to reach if you took
The government has confirmed that it will allocate £200 million to fix private tower blocks that are wrapped in combustible aluminium composite material cladding, the same kind that sent the Grenfell Tower block up in flames back in June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 people. This decision is a response to the anger over freeholders and developers that have refused to fund the costs of replacing the hazardous cladding in their buildings. Whilst many have praised the funding as a “step in the right direction”, there are concerns that the amount is just not enough. Two Years Since Grenfell On 14th June 2017, a fire broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of flats in North Kensington, West London. It was the deadliest structural fire in the UK since 1988 and the worst residential fire since World War II. The fire was started by a malfunctioning fridge-freezer on the fourth floor and spread rapidly up the building’s exterior. The devastating spread of the fire that claimed so many lives and injured many more was attributed to the building’s cladding. Grenfell’s exterior cladding was aluminium sandwich plates with polyethylene core and insulation made of PIR (polyisocyanurate) foam plates. According to the police, both of these materials later failed fire safety tests that were conducted after the fire. It was later discovered that the project team for Grenfell chose the cheaper, combustible material despite the nationwide warning that the combustible insulation used should only be used with cladding that does not burn. There are estimated to be 600 high-rise blocks of flats in the UK that have similar cladding to that in Grenfell. In October 2018, the government announced plans to ban flammable cladding on newly built buildings, however, it has been argued that it should be banned in its entirety, also applying to existing buildings. Leaseholders Facing a Crisis Thousands of people across the UK reside in tower blocks that use the same kind of cladding as Grenfell. As a result, residents have been suffering bouts of stress, depression and suicidal feelings; living in unsafe homes is taking a serious toll on people’s mental health. Whilst some landlords have stepped up and vowed to replace their building’s cladding with safer materials, others have refused to pay. Some leaseholders have been forced to start their own 24-hour patrols of their buildings to ensure that fires don’t break out, whilst other’s homes have become unsaleable. For developers refusing to pay for cladding replacement, the costs have been passed onto their leaseholders who have been footed with the bill. This has caused a deadlock between leaseholders who cannot afford to pay, and developers who say they are not obliged to pay under law. Leaseholders are facing bills of tens of thousands each to fix the buildings. In Burton Place in Manchester, the residents were told that they would be facing a bill of £80,000 each for repairs to replace wooden cladding, combustible insulation and missing fire breaks. Of the recent funding announcement, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “It is of paramount importance that everybody is able to feel and be safe in their homes. That is why we asked building owners in the private sector to take action and make sure appropriate safety measures were in place. “And we’ve seen a number of private building owners doing the right thing and taking responsibility, but unfortunately too many are continuing to pass on the costs of removal and replacement to leaseholders.” People fearing another disaster on the scale of Grenfell are looking to their representatives for answers. It is clear that there is mass confusion as to why, after widespread acceptance that fire safety remediation is needed, two years later thousands have been left to live in homes that are unsafe, and so far, very little has been done. The safety threats of living in buildings with unsafe cladding combined with the financial stress of not being able to afford to the costs of replacement is said to be ruining lives. How Far Will £200 Million Go? The £200 million in funding comes after lobbying from leaseholders who said the unsafe cladding in their buildings was making them fear for their lives in their own homes. And after the government’s preferred solution of asking building owners to do the right thing and pay for the work has failed, this funding is a much needed welcome. However, the UK Cladding Action Group that launched a campaign back in March to secure the funding for residential properties have stressed that the money, whilst welcomed, will not cover the costs of removing all the cladding. One of the founders of the group, Rituparna Saha, lives in Northpoint block in Bromley, where leaseholders are facing combined costs of £3.5 million for cladding replacement alone. She claims that news sets up a “cladding lottery”, as the funding will only cover aluminium composite material (ACM) panels which helped spread the fire in Grenfell, but combustible non-ACM cladding would not be covered. Latest figures show that, of the 176 buildings identified as having ACM cladding since the disaster, 166 of those have yet to have had any work started on them. The funds will be made available to remove the cladding from these high-rise buildings across England. Building owners will have three months to claim the funds, with the condition that they take “reasonable steps” to recover the costs from those responsible for the cladding’s presence, citing that the Government has “committed to cover the cost temporarily”. Grenfell United, a group of survivors and the bereaved, have praised the news as offering hope to people who feel at risk at home. This article was written by Stephen Horin, Managing Director at Bushbury Cladding. Bushbury Cladding are a family run business who have been supplying corrugated steel roofing sheets and wall cladding sheets for many years.
Kingsfold-based builders’ merchant NYEs Building Supplies has raised £794 for the charity Rainy Day Trust during a family fun day at its depot. The event, named ‘Have a NYEs day’, was held to celebrate the company’s recent rebrand and completion of its new 1000m2 warehouse. Attended by more than 1,000 people, it included a variety of free activities and the chance to meet Bob the Builder. Raffle tickets were sold in aid of the charity during the event, which was run by one of the charity’s trustees, Aaron Frogley, along with his son, Connor. Top prizes included family days out to Drusillas Park and Fishers Farm Park, cinema tickets, power tools and restaurant vouchers. The Rainy Day Trust is the UK’s only charity supporting the home improvement workforce in times of need. Rex Nye, who is Managing Director at NYEs, said: “It was a hugely successful day with lots of families turning up to enjoy our celebration. We couldn’t have hoped for a better turnout. We’d like to thank everyone who came along, supported us and helped to raise money for a very worthy cause at the same time. We hope the money will help the charity to continue its vital work supporting people in the building sector who have fallen on hard times.” Aaron Frogley, Trustee at the Rainy Day Trust, added: “Our warmest thanks to NYEs for supporting our charity and giving us the opportunity to be part of its excellent event. Sadly, more and more people are turning to us for financial assistance. The money raised at NYEs family fun day will go towards supporting them by helping to make ends meet, and providing the necessary advice, counselling and training so they can get back on their feet.”
Since the beginning of time, humankind needed tools. They used tools to hunt, forage, make fire, and survive. It made everything so much easier, even in those early days. Since then, humans used tools and invented machines to help them in everyday activities and hard work. Exhausting physical labor has been changed with machines. So, people don’t have to lift a finger to do anything. Nowadays, there is a machine for every single thing. You just have to push some buttons, and it is all taken care of. There is absolutely no need for you to do anything demanding and draining. When it comes down to choosing the proper machine for your need, you need to ask yourself one question. That question is what you need from that machine. What problem you need solving. Some people require roll converting machinery. If you are unfamiliar with this term, these machines are a part of the converting industry that transforms rolls of various materials into final products. It is not that easy as it sounds. The product goes through multiple phases until it reaches its final form. Some businesses are in desperate need of these machines. So, it is good to have some information about them before purchasing them. Cost The first thing anyone wants to know before buying something is how much it will cost them. It is not easy investing in something if you are not so sure it will pay off in the end. First, it is essential to have some money saved up because they are quite pricey. This is not that surprising since all kinds of tools and machines cost a fortune. However, they make our life so much easier, so you get to complain that much. Then, after the first step is taken care of, you can look for the perfect tool for your needs. You have so many options to choose from. It all depends on you. When asking around how much these things cost, do not be shocked when you hear that their prices vary between 8,000 to 10,000 USD. It is a lot to pay for at once, that is for sure. However, a lot of Roll Converting Equipment owners are quite satisfied with them. The manufacturers of these machines provide excellent quality for that cost. The most crucial thing is to be aware and read more about how each device contributes to your needs. There are so many different types to choose from. So, be sure to do extensive research and read more about them online. Productivity After paying for any type of product, machine, or tool, you want to know how much you will use it and how much it will change your life. You want to it to pay off till the last penny. So, do not worry about this. You are guaranteed to get about 40% productivity when you compare it with having to do this all manually. That is why we invented machines, isn’t it? To change manual labor with machines. The technology and software that comes with this converting equipment are made with cut optimizers. That way, they arrange things to increase in productivity. Additionally, the software comes with its precise cuts. They result in less waste, which is very good to hear. That way, you get the most out of your materials. Also, you make your contribution to making the environment less damaged and waste-free. That is a great relief, especially to larger companies. Moreover, these precise cuts end up with fewer rejections and fewer complaints from customers. That way, everyone is happy. New Technology In these last few decades, there have been thousands of new inventions and technological advancements. So, it is no wonder to hear that these types of machinery work with a brand new technical system. It is known as computer numerical control or CNC. This helps slitting and cut planning, as well as control over the master rolls and goods. It does bar code label printing. Also, it does an excellent job at job management. With its precise cuts, you do not have to worry about waste and pollution. Learn more about CNC here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_control Various Types of Materials It is essential to know that these roll converting machines can process different types of materials. Ranging from wallpapers, papers, and photo papers to heat transfer materials and digital magnetic papers, it can prepare them all and convert them into a final product. It is a great relief to the potential buyers to hear about this. However, not all machines can process every type of material. So, it is vital to get more information before investing in something like this. Importing and Processing of Orders Another benefit to purchasing a roll converting equipment is that its software makes importing a lot easier. It grants importing as well as order data processing from your systems. All this makes your order processing faster and more efficient. You do not have to worry about anything of the sort. Customizable Every buyer will be pleased to learn that most manufacturers can customize their equipment. All products may be suited to most of the customer’s needs and specifications. That way, the machinery can accommodate and satisfy any needs. All you have to do as a buyer is to mention your wishes and requirements to your manufacturer. Hopefully, your wish will be granted.