Kenneth Booth

Five types of flow meter explained

Being able to measure flow accurately is extremely important to many applications – this is especially true in industrial plants, where it can make a genuine difference to a company’s ability to make a profit. Lacking an understanding of flow can lead to issues not being corrected and the will

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United Living appoints operations director for the North and Midlands

National building and maintenance contractor, United Living, has appointed former Wates business director Michael Holling into a new role as operations director; covering both the North and Midlands regions. Michael brings with him 30 years of construction and maintenance knowledge, having previously worked at Wates since 1995. Throughout his career

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WALTERS & COHEN ARCHITECTS: NEWNHAM COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

A new building designed by London-based practice, Walters & Cohen Architects, has been opened at Newnham College, Cambridge. In 2014, Walters & Cohen won an architectural competition to design new accommodation for Newnham College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge. The original brief was to design

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Stargazing Hawaiian Style

The islands of Hawaii are like black pearls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Most people know that the place is the treasure chest of many natural wonders including black sand beaches, turquoise-colored ocean, waterfalls and chaotic yet beautiful volcanic eruptions. Little did people know that the island-state is

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Latest Issue
Issue 345 : Oct 2026

Kenneth Booth

Five types of flow meter explained

Being able to measure flow accurately is extremely important to many applications – this is especially true in industrial plants, where it can make a genuine difference to a company’s ability to make a profit. Lacking an understanding of flow can lead to issues not being corrected and the will impact an organisation’s bottom line. To measure flow, you need an instrument known as a flow meter. These devices are mused to measure either the volumetric or mass flow rate, or the amount of fluid passing through a pipe. Flow meters are used in a variety of different applications in measuring their volumetric flowrate or their mess flowrate. The actual application defines the type of capacity of the flow meter; both liquids and gases are measured in terms of volumetric and mass flowrate. There are actually many different types of flow meter, and the one that you need depends entirely on the application that you want to use it for. In this article we take a look at five of the common types of flow meter to understand their applications. Differential pressure flow meter One of the more common forms of flow meter found in applications around the world, differential pressure flow meters are often used in the oil and gas industries. They also have applications in everything from HVAC and pharmaceuticals to mining, paper and chemical production – their uses are clearly extremely wide. These meters measure the differential pressure across an orifice where the flow is related directly to the square root of the differential pressure that is being produced. The meters work with two elements: primary and secondary. The primary element produces a change in kinetic energy either through a flow nozzle, an orifice plate or a venturi flow meter. The secondary element is used to measure the differential pressure and then provide the signal. Positive displacement flow meter Positive displacement (PD) flow meters are well known for being extremely accurate. This means that they have a range of uses in the transferring of oil and other fluids such as gasoline and hydraulic fluid. They even have use around the house with applications in water and gas. PD flow meters are used to measure a volume filled with fluid, deliver it and then fill it again. This allows the meter to calculate the amount of fluid that has been transferred. The majority of forms of flow meter measure some sort of parameter and convert the value into a flowrate – PD flow meters actually measures the flow of the fluid. Some of the meters include piston meters, nutating disk metres and rotary vane type meters.   Velocity flow meter Another common form of flow meter is the velocity flow meter. These instruments are used to measure the velocity of the stream in order to calculate the volumetric flowrate. Velocity flow meters are less sensitive when the Reynolds number of the fluid is higher than 10,000. Some examples of velocity flow meters include electromagnetic and sonic/ultrasonic, turbine, paddlewheel and vortex shedding flow meters. Mass flow meter Mass flow meters measure the force resulting from mass accelerating through a pipe, this means that they are most effective in mass-related processes. They work by measuring the force of mass moving per a unit of time, rather than volume per a unit of time. Common forms of mass flow meters include thermal dispersion meters and Coriolis mass meters. Many of the major applications for mass flow meters are related to chemical processes. They are often found in the gas and chemical industries, as well as throughout power, pharmaceuticals, waste water and mining. Open channel flow meter Finally, we come to the measurement of liquid in open channels. This occurs in v-notch, weirds and flumes. They allow for a concentrated or a limited free-flow of liquid depending on the shape of the structure. Some of the most common applications for open channel flow meters include measuring free-flowing liquids such as those found in rivers, streams or sewers. Image courtesy of: Applications Engineering

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ARENA GROUP SUPPORTS ASPIRING ARCHITECTS IN THE VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON MILE MARKER COMPETITION

Arena Group is thrilled to support a new initiative lead by the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and London Marathon Events Ltd with a competition for aspiring young architects to design the Mile 18 marker for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday, 28 April. On the evening of 7 February 2019, the winning team were revealed at the Stephen Lawrence Centre in South London: Ayanna Blair-Ford, Shreeya Radia and Quincy Haynes – all Part 1 graduates from separate London architecture practices. The design, which celebrates the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, who was 18 when he died, will form an inspiring focal point for runners and spectators during the marathon. The competition has provided a rare opportunity for young architects to have their design built and seen by the 41,000 runners in the marathon and millions more around the world watching the race on television. The competition also reflects Stephen’s own aspiration to pursue a career in architecture as well as his love of running – he was a member of the Cambridge Harriers running club, and competed in the Mini London Marathon in 1988. Before submitting their final designs, ten shortlisted teams were invited to the Arena workshop in St Ives, Cambridgeshire to observe how the marker is constructed, and to demonstrate the need to be practical with their design concepts. For over two decades, Arena Project Director, Martin Clark has supported the Marathon with temporary structures, as well as seating for the start and finish lines. He was also invited to be part of the competition judging panel, alongside Baroness Lawrence, representatives from London Marathon Events Ltd, and the Trust’s architecture advisory board. “We are delighted to have supported the London Marathon event for 24 years. It is one of my favourite events to deliver,” said Clark, who has spent over 30 years working at Arena Group. “We organise a skilled team to tackle the logistical challenges of installing over 50 structures in just 48 hours before the event and removing them only several hours after the runners have passed, which is a pretty impressive accomplishment given we are working in the City of London, alongside open roads. “This year is very special and significant. The #BecauseOfStephenWeCan Mile Marker is going to look awesome and we can’t wait to build it with the winning designers!”   Clark adds: “We are so proud to be partnering with the Trust, London Marathon Events and the winning team. Together we will be a real driving force behind this inspiring and ground-breaking initiative. “We feel incredibly privileged to be part of the competition and to have responsibility for overseeing the build and delivering the Marathon Mile 18 marker with the winning team.” The winning concept was praised for the creative way it celebrates the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, and will form an inspiring focal point for runners and spectators on the day of the event. The Mile 18 marker will incorporate brightly coloured plaques with quotes from young people describing the personal impact that Stephen Lawrence’s life and legacy has had on them. The structure will also project a mix of music and brief audio clips of people describing Stephen’s impact. The design is also being developed to ensure that it meets health and safety requirements which is crucial for such a major sporting event. Quincy Haynes, a member of the winning team, said “We wanted our design to acknowledge the tragedy of Stephen’s death, but also to celebrate his legacy and the work of the Trust. We are incredibly excited to see it built and hope that it will motivate runners as they reach one of the toughest miles of the Marathon.” The winners will return to the Arena workshop next week to undertake a working at height training course so they can assist with the build, and to support their career portfolio. The shortlisted designs are currently on display in a public exhibition at the Stephen Lawrence Centre until Friday, 15 February 2019.

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Dealing With Hazardous Waste: A Constant Battle In Construction & How Technology Can Combat It

For eager and entrepreneurs and potential investors the construction industry has never been more profitable, and with more demand for better infrastructure in cities with growing populations, the number of firms working in the UK has been rising according to the Office of National Statistics. A significant increase of 6.2% in 2017 was recorded, meaning that there were 314,590 active in the UK. With increased earnings, the rising value of new construction orders and highest level of employment to record the numbers sound evermore impressing. The industry does encounter some downfall however, even with these numbers, the delivery from the client can be impacted. A whole development plan can need changing if there are hazardous materials detected on building sites. This costs the business time and money, which might not be an option for them. Environmental consultants are now being invested in by construction developers as they realise that this type of waste needs to detected early and removed as soon as possible. Hazardous waste, what is it and how can you handle it? Hazardous waste is when it contains harmful substances to human health or the environment, even if it does not have an immediate effect states The Health and Safety Executive. Whether the business is a producer, carrier, consignee or holder they’re responsible for handling the hazardous waste. The most common types of hazardous waste are: Asbestos Chemicals Batteries Solvents Pesticides Oils Various equipment that include ozone depleting substances and general hazardous waste containers — which can be quite common in construction. Excavated soil or demolition materials contaminated with any of the above The above hazardous substances can come in solid, vapour, micro-organisms, liquid and gas forms. Some of the substances can appear in more than one of these forms at the same time, therefore businesses handling these must be properly equipped to do so. Each year globally, we produce 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste, that’s around 13 tonnes every second. This figure has increased massively over the years and businesses are pressured by the governments around the world to ensure they keep their waste levels to a minimum through The Waste Hierarchy, which is to prevent, reuse, recycle, or recover waste in that specific order. General waste and hazardous waste must be stored differently, with security, safety and environmental protection being the main focuses. A good understanding of Hazardous properties such as flammable, ecotoxic, explosive and carinogenic are important to allow you to segregate or store wastes properly with the security, environmental protection and safety in mind. Making sure that your waste is labelled appropriately so there’s no mix up in identifying it and making it secure is key. This prevents your construction site from contamination and waterproof covers are also recommended to make sure there are no waste run offs to contaminate other areas. Records must be kept so that everything is accounted for alongside taking the correct physical precautions. You must fill out a consignment note before your waste management company comes for collection, this is required when: Collections from businesses that are registered waste carriers. Movements from one premises to another within the same organisation. When another business has produced waste, movements from customer premises. The consignment note is not needed when: The movement of domestic hazardous waste – other than asbestos. Waste has been imported and exported under international waste shipment controls that require a different movement note. All this paperwork should be kept on file, in some cases for several years. EA (in England and Wales) and SEPA (in Scotland) deal slightly differently with Hazardous wastes. Development projects require a lot of thinking when it comes to hazardous waste. Making sure you’re well prepared for your next build by analysing the site you’ll be working on before getting plans put in place or having environmental consultants in is a necessity. Sources: https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/key-points.htm https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/number192018edition http://www.theworldcounts.com/counters/waste_pollution_facts/hazardous_waste_statistics

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Energy use and winter farming – could LPG be a suitable alternative?

If you’re involved in a farming operation, then you’ll be aware of just how much energy is needed to maintain a living.  Whether it’s tractor use, ensuring the needs of livestock are met, or heating any number of crop stores – all are extremely energy-intensive. The predicament can be even more critical during the autumn and winter months, when harsh conditions make it more difficult for farmers to harvest, package and distribute produce. Add this to the challenges that come with heating rural, remote and off-grid agricultural locations (traditionally served by inefficient fuels like oil), and a farm’s energy supply can become quite problematic. For farmers looking for a greener, cheaper and more effective off-grid fuel solution that’s reliable even in colder seasons, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) could be an alternative.  LPG has increasingly become a go-to for farmers looking to meet ongoing heating or operational needs without compromising on outputs and the quality of their end product – or becoming dependent on an expensive alternative fuel. Farming and off-grid use Available in gas cylinder and bulk form, LPG provides an alternative to oil and solid fuels for off-grid agricultural use. It can be used for heating or transport in all types of farming processes, and delivers a range of operational and environmental benefits. From dairy processing and poultry rearing right though to maintaining the perfect temperature for crop drying (or even propane enrichment of biomethane in anaerobic digestion plants), farmers have turned to LPG for its cleaner, more cost-effective and easily-controllable capabilities. For farmers looking to understand the benefits of LPG, here is advice on how gas can become an essential part of efficient farming in the winter months: 1.     Livestock and energy usage Whether it be barn ventilation, lights, supplying food and water or manure handling, poultry cultivation requires a huge amount of energy. For birds and livestock, a constant heat supply is crucial to their survival – especially during colder seasons. By choosing LPG, farmers and animals can potentially benefit from: –     An efficient and cleaner-burning fuel, LPG reduces the risk of contamination within livestock (through feeds and litter) – ensuring that animals are kept as safe as possible. –     The moisture produced by LPG heating is the perfect level to promote speedy feathering and weight gain amongst poultry. –     Choosing an LPG supplier with a national supply network means deliveries can be made quickly and efficiently, keeping birds warm all-year round. 2.     Weighing up the green benefits For farmers looking for greener ways of working, LPG can offer environmental benefits. It’s a lower-carbon alternative to conventional fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions by approximately 15 % compared to heating oil (and 33% compared to coal). It also doesn’t produce black carbon – which is a major contributor to climate change.  As a transport fuel for tractors or other farming machinery, it’s also estimated that LPG (or propane) produces up to 24% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline, and 11% fewer emissions than diesel engines. Not only that, but the risk to the local environment is also kept to a minimum, as propane is non-toxic – providing a cleaner, greener, and cost-effective fuel solution for all kinds of farming uses. 3.     When heating is needed for horticulture Maintaining constant temperatures for commercially grown plants and flowers is crucial to securing profits. When temperatures begin to drop, plants are naturally at greater risk of being damaged by frost, so it’s important to have the right heating system in place. LPG, as opposed to other off-grid options like oil, allows plant growers to benefit from a cleaner burning fuel, ensuring crops remain free from contamination. Depending on the size of the operation, farmers can also choose between an LPG gas bottle (which can easily be handled and lifted) and LPG gas tanks (which can be topped up automatically), meaning an energy system that delivers a constant heat supply for horticulture. 4.     Using LPG to dry crops and grains When it comes to drying crops and grains, an LPG system can be a huge commodity to farmers looking to dry their produce quickly. As a highly controllable source of fuel, LPG makes for a more precise drying process, allowing farmers to maintain ideal levels of moisture without over-drying. The result is quicker drying all round, whilst also enabling farmers to preserve the quality of their crops, and ensure that the final product meets market specification. Additionally, with LPG grain drying technology, there’s the potential to recycle heated air, providing an even more efficient way to dry grain, without increasing fuel consumption. Sources  https://lpg-apps.org/index.php?mact=LPGApi,cntnt01,application,0&cntnt01application_id=16&cntnt01returnid=17&cntnt01sector_id=2&cntnt01subsector_id=24   https://www.flogas.co.uk/business-lpg-farming#lpg-supply-options-41 Gas for Off-grid Britain’ Report, UKLPG, https://www.uklpg.org/resources/gas-for-off-grid-britain Gas for Off-grid Britain’ Report, UKLPG, https://www.uklpg.org/resources/gas-for-off-grid-britain   https://www.smithgas.com/propane-uses-in-agriculture

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An early diagnosis for the crane under a microscope: A deep look into the crane machinery at Germany’s Palm paper factory

Konecranes investigates the hoisting gears of the critical overhead cranes at the Palm paper factory, with Oil Analysis and Crane Reliability Study (CRS)  Churning out corrugated base paper: The paper machine 6 (PM6) at the Palm paper factory in Wörth am Rhein, Germany, annually produces some 650,000 tons of the versatile packaging raw material with surface weights of up to 160 g/m2. In order to safely transport these huge paper rolls day and night, the double-girder bridge cranes inside the factory must always function flawlessly. For this reason, Konecranes has closely analyzed the gear oil of the cranes and used the endoscope to look deep inside the gears. Paper remains one of the most important resources for the economy: According to the association of German paper factories, the paper industry sold approximately 23 million tons of paper, cardboard and paperboard in 2017 – up 1.4 percent from 2016. The packaging industry is especially hungry for paper. Sales in this sector increased by 3.4 percent last year alone. This is the area of operation for the paper machine 6 (PM6) at the Palm paper factory in Wörth am Rhein. The 650,000 tons of corrugated base paper it produces each year is handled at various stages by eleven double girder overhead cranes, all playing their own crucial role in the paper production on PM6. In order to safely transport these large paper rolls day and night, the hoisting gears of the eleven cranes inside the factory must always be in top operating condition. For this reason, Palm has asked Konecranes to look at eight of its most critical cranes. Following the results of the oil analysis and subsequent endoscopic investigation, the maintenance experts identified a significant risk to future production and replaced one of the hoisting gears completely.   Record paper machine produces around the clock At the Palm paper factory, located in Aalen in Baden-Württemberg, everything circles around recovered paper. Nine paper machines in five factories annually produce approximately 2.2 million tons of newsprint and corrugated base paper. The paper production continues around the clock. Correspondingly high are the demands from the eleven double-girder bridge cranes that have been in use in the factory in Wörth am Rhein since the start of production in 2002. Collectively, they handle and store the completed paper rolls that weigh many tons. “The cranes are in use day and night,” says Sven Bohrer, electrical engineer at the Palm paper factory. “If one should break one day, the production would have to stop, or at least greatly slow down, until the problem is solved. This would cost us time and money.” For this reason, Konecranes has closely investigated the gear oil of the hoisting gears of eight of the eleven double-girder bridge cranes at Palm. Because you can look deep inside the oil, the wear metals and waste substances it contains make it possible to draw conclusions about the state of the entire gear. Nico Zamzow, Vice President Industrial Service EMEA Central at Konecranes, comments on the method: “The oil analysis protects the crane. Any damage can be identified and treated early with its help. Moreover, system operators are able to optimize the maintenance and servicing of the cranes thanks to the detailed analysis report, and thus significantly increase their lifespan.” For the oil analysis at Palm, Konecranes experts took samples from the hoisting gears of the eight double-girder bridge cranes. “The samples are analyzed by our laboratory, which specializes in industrial drive train analysis. Here, the lab staff compares the current state of the oil with the samples taken in 2016 and against the OEM design limits,” says Nico Zamzow. “This way, we also use trend analysis to provide the best possible picture of any change within the condition of the gearbox.” The result for Palm: Seven of the eight cranes were found to be “healthy”, as in the gear oil contained few to no foreign elements or waste substances indicating contamination or wear. However, the gear oil of the automated number 5 crane, used in the roll warehouse, was found to have a noticeable increase in its wear partial count, triggering the lab to issue a “Caution” notification on the analysis report. Nico Zamzow: “Iron particles in the oil can be an indication of increased wear and a deeper look may be required for this particular hoist”. Crane Reliability Study has the solution If the reason for the wear is not clearly identified and removed, the gear may be permanently damaged. “If the gear is jammed while there is a roll on the hook, it becomes very difficult to recover it and repair the crane,” explains Nico Zamzow. In order to determine whether there is already damage, the Konecranes experts used the Crane Reliability Study (CRS). The modular analysis allows them to check safety-relevant components, such as the hoisting gear as well as the steel structure, the motors, and the electrical equipment of the crane. In addition, the maintenance experts pose questions to crane drivers and technicians. The analysis result flows into a detailed report for crane owners – with concrete recommendations for action. In the case of Palm, Konecranes used a high-definition video endoscope to investigate the hoisting gear. “Just like in medicine, we use the endoscope to reach inaccessible places without having to dismantle the entire gear,” says Nico Zamzow. “For the CRS, we use a special, oil-resistant model that was developed for industrial use and can be fitted with different lenses.” Following the endoscopic investigation, the Konecranes service experts are certain: The hoisting gear must be replaced. In addition, the cable drum, the cable drum support, the slip-ring unit, the cylinder coupling, and the motor coupling must be renewed. “Thanks to discovering the wear early on, there was no risk to safety and we were able to replace the old gear with a new one without affecting production,” explains Nico Zamzow. “The benefits of Oil analysis as a predictive maintenance tool for identifying problems early on is proven to minimize

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United Living appoints operations director for the North and Midlands

National building and maintenance contractor, United Living, has appointed former Wates business director Michael Holling into a new role as operations director; covering both the North and Midlands regions. Michael brings with him 30 years of construction and maintenance knowledge, having previously worked at Wates since 1995. Throughout his career he has delivered a range of complex housing projects for local authorities and housing associations, including joint ventures and private development schemes. The appointment marks a significant investment in United Living’s growth strategy, to assist with new and existing business opportunities across the North and Midlands regions. Michael will be based in United Living’s Sheffield office, providing leadership across all operational areas as part of the United Living North Leadership Team.     The business is currently strengthening its presence in the North and Midlands, having promoted long-serving employee Shaun Pickin to the role of Operations Manager for the Midlands, and last year appointing former Kier and Keepmoat director Helen Francis as Business Development Director for the North.  Speaking of his appointment, Michael Holling said: “This is an exciting time for United Living’s growth strategy across these regions and I look forward to leading on the next stage of development. United Living Group has a great reputation across the housing sector and it’s a pleasure to bring my experience to the business.  I’m looking forward to working with the team.”  Jo Jamieson, managing director for United Living said: “Michael has built an enviable reputation for delivering large scale construction and residential projects with a keen emphasis on operational excellence and truly understanding customer’s aspirations. I look forward to working with him to drive forward our growth plans across the North and Midlands, and to maximise the opportunities in our pipeline.”  For more information about United Living: www.unitedliving.co.uk 

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WALTERS & COHEN ARCHITECTS: NEWNHAM COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

A new building designed by London-based practice, Walters & Cohen Architects, has been opened at Newnham College, Cambridge. In 2014, Walters & Cohen won an architectural competition to design new accommodation for Newnham College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge. The original brief was to design a new 75-bedroom student residence at the southern end of the campus. However, during the feasibility study an alternative option was developed that integrated new accommodation in among the existing College buildings, leaving the beautiful gardens unspoilt. The Dorothy Garrod building comprises a new entrance, a welcoming Porters’ Lodge, conference facilities, a rooftop gym, staff offices, meeting and supervision rooms, 86 generous en-suite student bedrooms, kitchen/social areas with plenty of space to cook and eat together, and a popular new café that invites students to linger, work and socialise. 19 bedrooms and two kitchens in the neighbouring Fawcett building were also refurbished, and the rooftop terrace allows Newnhamites to appreciate their beautiful College from an entirely new perspective. Working with Newnham’s project team, special interest groups, students, staff and Fellows ensured that the building meets the College’s needs and is entirely unique to them. The new frontage creates a stronger presence on Sidgwick Avenue without imposing on the historic buildings and gardens. Landscape works are integral to the design, with the building wrapping around a new courtyard garden, and carefully considered interstitial spaces improve visual and physical links between buildings. Integrating the student residence, offices, porters’ lodge and café in one building has created a stronger sense of community and forms the heart of the College. Cindy Walters, Director at Walters & Cohen Architects, said: ‘It has been a huge honour and privilege for us to work with Newnham College to deliver their bold strategic vision. Since winning the design competition four years ago, we have worked with students, administrators, College interest groups and Fellows to ensure that the new building meets the needs of the College, fits into its very unique context and delivers twenty-first-century facilities. The new Porters’ Lodge and entrance was the greatest challenge. It offers a warm welcome, connects the street to a new garden, connects the College to a new café, conference facility and offices, and contains art and artefacts that are specific to Newnham. In the new entrance we have created a space that could not be anywhere else in Oxbridge or the world.’ Professor Dame Carol Black, Principal of Newnham College, said: “This is a building worthy of celebration, one which gives the students of Newnham College a sense of pride and aspiration. It embraces our glorious gardens, with the new en-suite bedrooms looking out over trees on every side. Our architects Walters & Cohen have designed a building at once modern and forward looking, and in sympathy with Newnham’s original Champneys buildings and gardens. The new conference centre is an exciting venture for Newnham, and our students are delighted by the stylish public café with its space for group working and relaxation.”  

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Saracen Interiors on site with major fit-out for Global Technology Company, Carl Zeiss

Saracen Interiors is now reaching the end of a substantial fit-out project for Global Technology company Carl Zeiss. The interiors company is transforming c. 43,000 sq. ft. of office space plus undertaking a range of external works at a site in Cambridgeshire to create a world-class lean manufacturing facility, including a clean room, where Carl Zeiss will make electron microscopes for sale and distribution worldwide. The fit-out of Building 1030 at Cambourne Business Park covers three floors, and the complexity and specialised nature of the work has just been documented in a new video available to view at https://www.saraceninteriors.com/blog/5583/ Clive Longden, Saracen’s Site Manager, said: “It’s a complex project with some significant challenges, but working closely with our client, the team has successfully met these challenges, and we are now on track for completion and handover on time.” Saracen won the project in a competitive tender against strong competition, further cementing the groups presence in the industry. The team is managing a full fit-out of office space on floors one and two, as well as installing all-new kitchens and breakout areas. The first floor also includes a technical area for research and development that has required particularly careful design. But the toughest challenges have been on the ground floor where building a clean room for the production of the electron microscopes threw up significant mechanical and electrical hurdles as well as issues of coordination that the Saracen team has had to overcome. As well as the advanced M and E work, the project has required the installation of a range of specialised equipment, including cranes. Saracen has also installed an external goods lift as part of the project scope of works. The project came about as a result of significant local business growth together with increased global demand for the products and services of the two Cambridge based subsidiaries of the Global Carl Zeiss group. Carl Zeiss Microscopy Ltd and Carl Zeiss Ltd, wanted to combine operations and move from their two current premises in Cambridge, to a single facility and as a result have signed a long-term lease at Cambourne Business Park Saracen is managing the project so that staff will be able to easily transfer into the newly-revamped premises and to provide Carl Zeiss with room for further future expansion. www.saraceninteriors.com

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Stargazing Hawaiian Style

The islands of Hawaii are like black pearls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Most people know that the place is the treasure chest of many natural wonders including black sand beaches, turquoise-colored ocean, waterfalls and chaotic yet beautiful volcanic eruptions. Little did people know that the island-state is also one of the best places to look up the clear sky at night. Yup, Hawaii is also the best spot to do stargazing. The unpolluted air and the high elevation of its mountains mean that you will have an unobstructed view of the bright stars and other heavenly bodies visible to the naked eyes or with the aid of sophisticated telescopes. There is so much beautiful Hawaii real estate on market to view these stars. Another reason why a state is a great place for astronomy encounter is that of its altitude. Hawaii is positioned at 21 degrees North Latitude which makes it able to see both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere which makes it the only state in the US which will make you able to see both the North Star and the Southern Cross. If you are planning to visit Hawaii, here are some stargazing activities that you can try: * Check the astronomy calendar of celestial events prior to your visit. Be informed about the perfect date and time to catch astronomical events, including moon phases. You don’t want to miss the spectacular show that rarely happens in 10 or 100 years. * If you will be heading on to the Big Island, find a tour that will take you to the summit of Muana Kea for sunrise. You can also do a warmer stargazing at the lower elevation through a telescope. Or head on to Imiloa Astronomy Center where you can use their telescopes to see a clearer view of the stars and other heavenly bodies. * On Oahu, take time to visit the Bishop Museum and enjoy its planetarium. They also have a website where you can find night sky events in Hawaii. *Visit the University of Hawaii Institute of Astronomy. It has tons of information related to astronomy that will serve as your guide. *Some hotels are promoting stargazing on their rooftop to attract guests. One example of this is the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kaanapali.  Scout for hotels that let you experience stargazing in Hawaii. * If you have the money for it, you can rent a barge and experience stargazing in the middle of the ocean. The calmness of the ocean plus the magical sightings up above will make your Hawaii vacation an unforgettable treat. If you are in the market for Hawaiian real estate contact a trusted Hawaii real estate agent.

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Factors To Consider When Choosing The Right Builder For A Single Story Extension

The reason why most people add a single story extension is to create an extra space where you can spend leisure time. Moreover, such extensions also create room for natural light and give you plenty of space which you can use for decoration. However, what you need to understand is that adding a single story extension is not an easy task, which is why it is advisable that you hire a professional builder. Here are the factors you need to consider when choosing a builder for your project. 1. Certification A professional builder should be trained in order to render out construction services. The only way you can be sure that you are dealing with a certified builder is by checking the license of the expert you are dealing with. Moreover, find out from the Federation of Master Builders whether you are dealing with a registered member or not. 2. Experience Dealing with an experienced builder is better than dealing with someone who is new to this type of work. That is because experienced builders can give you better ideas on how you can make your single story extension more interesting. Moreover, an experienced builder will use the skills that he or she has acquired over the years to get the work done on time. We make it our primary goal to offer our clients solely the service and solution that they need. Based on our experience in the industry, we can make recommendations and project improvement suggestions that will lead to an even better outcome than clients expect. Builders Chester 3. Great Customer Services A profession builder should be able to offer you quality services. They should also be easy to work with since you can only be able to inquire about the project if you are comfortable working with the builder. Besides, being easy to work with the builder should also possess great communication skills so that it can be easy to discuss matters relating to your project. 4. Building Regulation And Planning Permissions The last thing you want is to be on the wrong side of the law for not fulfilling building regulations and planning permissions. However, with the aid of a professional builder, you can make sure that you meet all the necessary conditions before you start working on your project. If your builder is not familiar with building regulations and planning permission, then you might want to find a builder who does so that he or she can guide you through the entire process. 5. Cost Of Hiring A Builder Either you are dealing with a construction company or an independent contractor, you need to understand that different tradesman cost different rates for offering their services. Because of this reason, it is advisable that you get a quotation from various dealers if you want to get the best deal. Moreover, the detailing of the quotations should be the same, if you want to get correct estimates of your project from all the parties involved. By getting quotations from different builders, you will be able to determine, which dealer has the best offer for your project. Once we understand your needs and requirements, we can easily manage the project from beginning to the end leaving you with time to pursue other interests. If you are not too sure about your needs, we can help you find what works best for you. Builders Liverpool 6. Payment Plan Another important factor you need to consider when choosing a builder for your single story extension is the payment plan. After agreeing on the price of the project, it is important that you agree on a payment plan as well. Most builders demand a small upfront deposit, in order to start off the project. The small upfront deposit is usually used as capital to buy some of the materials needed to start off the construction project. Other builders, do not request for upfront payment but instead, they use their own money to buy all the necessary materials and equipment needed for the project. However, once the project is complete, the client is required to cover the total cost used in the project. Therefore, make sure that you get a flexible payment plan from the builder you choose to work with, especially if your project will last for more than four weeks before it is completed. The payment plan should be drafted in form of written quotation and signed by both parties. Conclusion Choosing the right builder for your single story extension project is not an easy task. That is because there are hundreds of contractors who specialize in this type of work and only a few have proved to have the ability to offer quality services. However, by acknowledging these factors, you can be sure to find a reputable builder to help you with this type of project.

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