Vital Energi have been awarded the £2.6m contract with Redrow Homes to design and build the energy solution for the Padcroft development in West Drayton. Following the submission of a variant design proposal, Vital Energi joined the energy infrastructure design team and were able to add value from an early
John Elliott, Managing Director of Millwood Designer Homes speaks about the rising demand for detached homes in the UK: Purchasing your first home is an exciting experience and now, more than ever, first time buyers aspire to own a detached home, over any other property type. In recent research, conducted
Our world and everything in it is developing at such a rapid speed that it is often hard to keep abreast of all the latest developments. New technologies in the trucking industry are concentrating on efficiency, autonomy, and safety, especially as far as driver fatigue is concerned. It is estimated that
Fly-tipping incidents are causing people headaches throughout the UK, with those with farm land facing problems in particular as those breaking the law see the space as an opportunity to illegally dump waste instead of seeking out authorised methods. Are you a victim of fly-tipping? Lycetts, a specialist farm insurance
ceda are proud to announce the launch of their latest catering equipment industry technical document, ‘Interface between fire-fighting systems and other systems in commercial kitchens’, jointly published by the Fire Industry Association (FIA). The document is intended to offer guidance to suppliers of catering equipment who are often required to
“ECA Industry Awards recognise key achievements of the highest talent in the electrotechnical and engineering services, providing a great opportunity to showcase some exceptional work.” That was the Electrical Contractors’ Association’s message to entrants for its 2018 awards. Winner of the £5m-£20 million turnover category was W Portsmouth & Co Ltd, the
A new study commissioned by Foxtons estate agent has revealed that after viewing a property online, it takes home hunters an average of just eight minutes to decide whether to physically view the home[1]. As first impressions are important to purchasers, the interior design within the show home is a
When an innovative new access solution was required for a major office accommodation development in Cambridge, construction access specialists SGB was quick to answer the call and provide a solution which combined mastclimber units with a special monorail system. The resulting access solution provided maximum flexibility for the site construction
Nobody expects to be involved in a workplace accident, but if you or someone you love has been, there are some important factors you must consider before starting any proceedings. Safety on commercial building sites has come a long way in the past couple of decades. It wasn’t that long
The 28% fall in construction apprenticeship starts between August 2017 and March 2018 compared with the same period the previous academic year suggests the Government needs to look again at the way the Apprenticeship Levy is working, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on statistics published today
Vital Energi have been awarded the £2.6m contract with Redrow Homes to design and build the energy solution for the Padcroft development in West Drayton. Following the submission of a variant design proposal, Vital Energi joined the energy infrastructure design team and were able to add value from an early stage in the project development. As part of their contract, Vital Energi will build the energy centre containing two 750kw gas boilers, a 90kW CHP engine, a 5000L thermal store and boosted cold-water services. In addition, they will also install over 150m of district heating pipework, risers and laterals in the apartment blocks, and supply 330 hydraulic interface units. Rob Callaghan, Vital Energi’s Regional Director for London, commented, “We’re delighted to be working with Redrow Homes again following the successful delivery of the energy solution at Chiswick High Road. Being involved in the early stages of the project with the infrastructure design team has helped to identify cost savings which will now be incorporated into the construction phase.” Padcroft is a new residential development in West Drayton which will be a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom luxury apartments. By 2019, residents will benefit from the completion of the West Drayton Crossrail station, enabling them to reach the centre of London within 30 minutes. Work is expected to be completed by November 2018. If you’d like to know more about Vital Energi and the work they do, please visit www.vitalenergi.co.uk
John Elliott, Managing Director of Millwood Designer Homes speaks about the rising demand for detached homes in the UK: Purchasing your first home is an exciting experience and now, more than ever, first time buyers aspire to own a detached home, over any other property type. In recent research, conducted by YouGov, almost a third (32%) of potential first-time homeowners aim for a detached house as their first property. As detached homes continue to increase in value throughout the UK, it’s easy to see why the popularity for these sought-after properties also continues to grow. Prices increases show detached homes to be a bright spot in the market and offer a sold investment. It is no surprise almost a third of savvy first timers desire a detached home, as buyers aim to move less and save more to achieve the home of their dreams — a detached family house with a garden. With many first-time buyers making savings on stamp duty, they are sensibly looking to future-proof their investment, with something that will suit long term needs and goals, in the form of a ‘forever’ home. At Millwood, we provide a mix of property types at all our developments to suit a wide-range of buyers and their individual circumstances. We’ve found that many of our buyers aspire to own a detached property for a number of important factors, including flexibility, a sense of privacy, comfort and freedom. This popular property type varies in size, however, the independence of a detached home creates an ideal living environment, for families to grow into or downsizers to settle. We offer Help to Buy on a selection of Millwood homes, helping first-time buyers secure more space for their money. For more information on our detached home visit wwww.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk
Our world and everything in it is developing at such a rapid speed that it is often hard to keep abreast of all the latest developments. New technologies in the trucking industry are concentrating on efficiency, autonomy, and safety, especially as far as driver fatigue is concerned. It is estimated that approximately 40% of truck crashes in the UK are related to driver fatigue, reiterating the importance of having systems in place that can not only monitor fatigue but notify the driver when he is in danger. The following developments are all contributing towards reducing the number of fatigue-related accidents that occur on the roads of the UK every year. Fujitsu develops ground-breaking IoT device At the beginning of the year Fujitsu launched a new and innovative IoT (internet of things) powered wearable with the aim to drastically reduce fatigue-induced trucking accidents in the United Kingdom. The device, known as the Driver Drowsiness Detector or DDD is a lightweight device that is worn around the driver’s neck with a tiny sensor clip which attaches to the earlobe, detecting pulse waves. The purpose of the device is to keep track of the driver’s pulse, evaluating fatigue levels and notifying the driver when his risk of possible compromised alertness increases. The system can also be linked to various fleet-management systems to enable managers to also monitor the state of their drivers in real-time. Logistics company DHL is currently testing the DDD in 60 of its trucks, hoping to improve driver accuracy and accountability, while decreasing cover premiums as well. What other technologies can help detect driver fatigue? New advances are constantly being made in terms of wearable technology to monitor trucker fatigue. Wristwatches and fitness trackers like those manufactured by Apple, Garmin and Fitbit can help detect fatigue by measuring the sleep quality the driver is accustomed to as well as track biometrics such as blood pressure and heart rate. There have been significant technological breakthroughs as far as caps and hats are concerned. Mining giant BHB Billiton makes use of such caps to monitor the brainwaves of their drivers for signs of fatigue. Other technologies that have been around for some time but are constantly being subjected to improvements are dashcams, GPS systems and lane departure equipment. If Fujitsu’s DDD is anything to go by, the future of wearable devices to detect driver fatigue looks very bright indeed. Even if only a single truck accident can be prevented in any given year thanks to a detection device it will be enough as one life lost is one too many. When technological advancements are coupled with responsible human driving practices, the outcome can only be good for all concerned, saving not only lives but substantial amounts of money as well.
Fly-tipping incidents are causing people headaches throughout the UK, with those with farm land facing problems in particular as those breaking the law see the space as an opportunity to illegally dump waste instead of seeking out authorised methods. Are you a victim of fly-tipping? Lycetts, a specialist farm insurance provider, aims to assist as they have put together this comprehensive guide about what to do when someone has fly-tipped on your land… Understanding what is meant by fly-tipping Fly-tipping is when large items or rubbish is dumped onto land illegally as it is not licensed to receive them. There are many items which can be defined under the banner of fly-tipping, including a bin bag filled with rubbish, tyres, waste which has come from construction activities, mattresses, beds and garden waste. Allison Ogden-Newton, the chief executive at Keep Britain Tidy, has gone as far as to claim that fly-tipping has reached “crisis levels” across the UK. However, this much is indeed evident when analysing the results of a freedom of information request that was submitted by ITV News and reported on by The Daily Telegraph. In some of the nation’s council regions, the FOI request has found that the number of fly-tipping incidents has risen by more than a fifth year-on-year. For example, almost 40,000 reported incidents were recorded in the North London district of Haringey between November 2015 and December 2016, with more than 30,000 incidents also reported in Manchester over the same period. There are some council regions where fly-tipping cases have actually decreased. Unfortunately, the problem is nowhere near being completely solved in any UK region though. In Birmingham, for instance, the number of fly-tipping cases are down by 13 per cent between November 2015 and December 2016. However, the figure during this period was still recorded at 21,000 offences. “Fly-tipping is an epidemic, it’s reached crisis levels and something needs to be done about it,” points out Ms Ogden-Newton. “Local authorities are overwhelmed with instances of criminal fly-tipping and we need to address this urgently.” Scotland in particular is facing many problems with fly-tipping, adds James Cuthbertson, an account executive at Lycetts. Near to 61,000 fly-tipping incidents are recorded in this country every single year, Mr Cuthbertson has found. He commented: “The culprits tend to think of this practice as a victimless crime; but estimates put the cost to Scottish tax payers at £8.9 million a year to clear and dispose of tipped rubbish from council land. Farmers and other countryside custodians must meet the cost of clearing rubbish from private land themselves, at an average of £1,000 a time.” The punishment for fly-tipping Attempts have been made to try and stop those committing fly~tipping incidents from going ahead with the crime. According to figures obtained from the BBC, a total of 1,602 prosecutions for fly-tipping were carried out across England between 2016 and 2017. What’s more, 98 per cent of prosecutions made resulted in a conviction. During the same time period, councils across England served 56,000 fixed penalty notices in regards to cases of fly-tipping. The maximum penalty for fly-tipping is up to five years imprisonment and an unlimited penalty. It is also important to note that those who permit fly-tipping to take place on their land or any land that they rent will also be committing a fly~tipping offence. Mr Cuthbertson was keen to note though: “Fines of up to £40,000 can be imposed but, given budgetary constraints, the pursuit of fly tippers is well down the list of priorities of councils and the police. Furthermore, it is hard to gather evidence to bring a successful prosecution.” The approach to take when a fly-tipping victim First things first — you are responsible for cleaning up any rubbish which appears on your private property, with this being the case whether the items are from a fly-tipping incident or otherwise. Be cautious when handling waste that has appeared due to someone fly~tipping on your land though, as it might be hazardous. Therefore, bags and drums should not be opened and piles of soil should be a cause for alarm bells as the material could be contaminated or hiding dangerous material. Instead, aim to make a record of every detail you can about the waste you’ve discovered. This includes where you located the waste, as well as taking photographs if possible. After all details have been recorded, report the case of fly-tipping to your local authority: Those in England and Wales should head to this GOV.UK page and report fly-tipping by first entering the postcode where the waste has been discovered. Those in Scotland should report fly-tipping waste by either filling in a simple online form on DumbDumpers.org or contacting Stopline directly by calling 0845 2 30 40 90. Those in Northern Ireland should head to gov.uk and find details for their local council, who will be able to advise on the waste disposal sites and recycling centres based nearby for the safe and legal recycling or disposal of unwanted items. Secure all waste in a manner where it cannot be interfered with or added to once reported. There are some steps to take when the waste is taken away too. First and foremost, do not take the waste to a licensed site yourself unless you’re registered as a waste carrier. If hazardous waste has been identified, it should only be carried and then disposed of by someone who is licensed to deal with hazardous waste. Using someone else to remove the fly~tipping waste? Be sure to get appropriate documentation — it should include details about the waste and those who are taking it away — and keep all information about clearance and disposal costs safe, as these can be recovered in the event a successful prosecution is made against the crime committed. Mr Cuthbertson also advised: “In the event you wake one morning to find the midnight cowboys have paid you a visit, if the problem is severe, it is worth consulting with your
ceda are proud to announce the launch of their latest catering equipment industry technical document, ‘Interface between fire-fighting systems and other systems in commercial kitchens’, jointly published by the Fire Industry Association (FIA). The document is intended to offer guidance to suppliers of catering equipment who are often required to provide fire protection systems and regularly have problems in ensuring that connections are made between the controls of the fire protection system and other systems, such as building management systems, kitchen extract fans and fuel supplies. There is a concern that the suppliers of other systems are reluctant to make the connections for several reasons including, fear of setting off the fire protection system, fear or reluctance to work in another contractor’s control box and communication, resulting in a lack of understanding of the relevance and importance of inter-connections between systems. ceda’s technical support advisor, Peter Kay wanted to provide ceda members with a guidance document that they can incorporate as part of their contracts not only with fire suppression system subcontractors but also their contracts with their clients. He explains, “Fire Suppression Systems are normally supplied with volt free contacts to trigger other systems such as fire alarms, gas interlocks, etc., however, it is not uncommon to find that these are never used simply because it was unclear as to who was responsible for making the connections.” “After some investigation it was felt that we should involve the Fire Industry Association with a view to publishing a jointly branded document. “This is the first time that ceda has worked in partnership with the Fire Industry Association and I find it encouraging that they welcomed our suggestion of a joint document”. Most suppliers of Fire Suppression Systems as well as Fire Alarm Systems and Building Management Systems are members of FIA and therefore will be advised to operate in accordance with the guidelines. The document is available as a download from the “Standard Documents” page on the members’ section of the ceda website, along with a guidance document that has been issued to ceda members which gives guidance on good practice relating to the provision of Fire Suppression Systems and also on the use of the ceda/FIA document. Non-ceda members who wish to view the document can request a copy from the ceda office by emailing fiona@ceda.co.uk.
“ECA Industry Awards recognise key achievements of the highest talent in the electrotechnical and engineering services, providing a great opportunity to showcase some exceptional work.” That was the Electrical Contractors’ Association’s message to entrants for its 2018 awards. Winner of the £5m-£20 million turnover category was W Portsmouth & Co Ltd, the London and Bedford-based company that is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The Awards, held this year on Friday 8th June at the London Hilton Bankside Hotel, recognise ECA member companies who have demonstrated the highest standards in their respective categories over the previous 12 months. W Portsmouth’s Managing Director Dave Norsworthy said that after 60 years, it was about time to show that taking a long-term perspective on business paid dividends. “We were asked what was our ‘star quality’ – what it was that set us apart from the competition”, he said. “Our answer was ‘being authentic to our vision’. That is what has sustained us: from our first registration as a company in 1958, to where we are today. Our vision is quite simple: always to maintain good relationships with our customers and suppliers – and deliver what we say we will deliver, when we say and to the highest quality.” Just being in business for years was not in itself a guarantee of success, though, he added. “We constantly explore new markets and evolve our methods of working; seeking sustained year-on-year growth, but with security and stability. We choose our clients with care; and we care for our workforce too, to ensure they have continuity and security of employment.” This approach has brought continued contract success, said Dave. Client contracts cited in evidence ranged from MBDA, a world-leader in missile systems and a customer for over 50 years; to University College London – a customer for over 30 years; and the NHS, the biggest project of which was Chase Farm Hospital, designed to be “the newest, most digitally-advanced hospital in the NHS”. Commercial Director Adam Harlow hailed this project as an example of how “Innovation has been key to our success”, referring to: W Portsmouth & Co.’s intimate involvement in designing the largest Barn Theatre in the UK its installation of the first Laminar Flow operating light of its kind in the UK the first full-installation in any UK hospital of the award-winning ASCOM MYCO Nurse-Call System: providing mobile handsets to all staff for full patient monitoring. ECA Group London Regional Manager Malcolm Conby praised W Portsmouth’s achievement, saying: “They have an impressive range of loyal customers, an enviable health & safety record and an outstanding record of longevity; but are right up-to-the-minute in their working methods and techniques – and they place collaborative working at the heart of their approach to business. Their success in this year’s award is a very well-deserved tribute.” The attached picture shows the delighted team receiving their award.
A new study commissioned by Foxtons estate agent has revealed that after viewing a property online, it takes home hunters an average of just eight minutes to decide whether to physically view the home[1]. As first impressions are important to purchasers, the interior design within the show home is a crucial element to selling homes. However, what about the interiors and use of marketing suites? In the last 10 to 15 years, there has been a huge shift in the use of the marketing suite, with developers keen to add value to the customer experience. With 20 years’ experience, Suna Interior Design, a boutique design consultancy based in London, have witnessed first-hand this change – and have been instrumental in moving developers away from a portakabin to a fully immersive experience for potential buyers. Helen Fewster, Director at Suna Interior Design comments: “Fifteen years ago, most marketing suites were simply sales offices and were often in a cabin on site or in the dining room of the show home. The sales offices were generally designed to be functional, providing a practical space rather than considering the potential aesthetic impact. However, in recent years there has been fundamental changes to this and today we are seeing the residential property sector recognise that marketing suites are an important part of the customer journey. When a purchaser views a development, their experience in the marketing suite is often their first impression. This presents house builders with an opportunity to give the purchaser an insight into the aspirational lifestyle that comes with the homes they are selling and it is important to make this first impression count. We have seen lots of clients investing in state of the art, purpose-built marketing suites in order to deliver a bespoke customer experience.” “At Suna Interior Design some of the main questions we ask ourselves before we begin work is ‘who are our clients selling to?’, ‘what do they want their purchasers to see and feel’ and ‘how does that affect the customer journey?’ From high end luxury to modern urban locations, all our marketing suites combine the developments own unique brand, with the aspirations and unique requirements that reflect the local market. Meanwhile, we also ensure all functions are considered to make sure the end result is a practical working environment. For example, plan in enough storage space, plentiful desk areas with room to hide things away, meeting rooms or offices for private conversations, even down to the back of house considerations such as kitchens and WC facilities. Depending on the nature of the Marketing Suite this can all be achieved in an informal and relaxed environment, more akin to a nice café than a sales office or it could be more like the ambiance of a high-end hotel entrance and residents lounge.” For example, Helen continues: “We created a bespoke two-storey statement marketing suite at London Square’s The Star and Garter development on Richmond Hill, which was designed to reflect the luxury brand and lifestyle being offered to purchasers. Once completed the developer even used some areas of the marketing suite to hold events such as art gallery exhibitions, which encouraged potential purchasers to revisit the development. We even incorporated a champagne bar into the design which provided an impressive focal point and came in handy during these events!” Helen concludes: “Tech has certainly influenced marketing suites, rather than plans on walls which would you have seen 10 years ago, everything is interactive including models and fly through CGIs. In the future we expect to see this develop even further with virtual reality headsets in suites, so purchasers can enjoy a fully immersive experience.” For more information on the work of Suna Interior Design, please visit www.sunainteriordesign.com.
When an innovative new access solution was required for a major office accommodation development in Cambridge, construction access specialists SGB was quick to answer the call and provide a solution which combined mastclimber units with a special monorail system. The resulting access solution provided maximum flexibility for the site construction personnel, while helping reduce both costs and installation times. “The Station Road development comprises two 8-storey blocks which now offer luxury office accommodation,” explains SGB site manager, Mark Newton. “We were approached to become involved by façade installation specialists Dane Architectural. Their teams were going to be installing glass reinforced concrete columns and large areas of external glazing, and so would require an access solution that combined maximum flexibility with maximum safety.” Responding to the challenge, the SGB team worked closely with Dane Architectural to develop a bespoke solution that would satisfy Dane’s specific requirements. The result was a system based on a series of mastclimber base units surrounding each building, which were then connected together at the top to create a unique monorail system. This allowed the Dane teams to use hoists positioned on the working platforms to raise materials up. The individual platforms were then able to move horizontally along the monorail, thus providing the teams with far better access to the building’s facades than would have been the case with alternative solutions. “The flexibility and enhanced level of access made the installation process far easier and faster than it might otherwise have been,” adds Mark. “By providing simultaneous access to different parts of the buildings the system shortened the installation schedule and so helped reduce costs. Having hoists positioned on the platforms also meant that façade materials could be lifted into position without needing to tie up any the main site cranes.” “The SGB solution proved to be both innovative and very effective,” adds Gary Redhead of Dane Architectural. “One of the main attractions was that it offered access to multiple areas of the facades at the same time. That degree of access speeded up the proceedings and it certainly made life easier for our installation teams.” For more details, visit www.sgb.co.uk, call 01372 381 300, follow ‘SGB a BrandSafway Company’ on Linkedin, or @SGB_Brand_UK on Twitter.
Nobody expects to be involved in a workplace accident, but if you or someone you love has been, there are some important factors you must consider before starting any proceedings. Safety on commercial building sites has come a long way in the past couple of decades. It wasn’t that long ago when wearing PPE was considered wimpish, and many thought it was a bit over the top. However, on most worksites in developed countries health and safety is now paramount, and PPE is a mandatory requirement. Even with all the headway, we’ve made along with the reduction in work-related injuries; until we get to zero, there will always be room for improvement. Regardless of your occupation, how long you have been doing it for or how safe your construction site may seem, accidents happen and usually when you least expect them to. When they do, no matter how severe, the injured person is likely to suffer a significant financial loss, hence the reason for a worker’s compensation system. Injured workers are covered by law and must be compensated if they suffer injuries in a no-fault accident. What to Do If You Have Had an Accident If the unexpected does happen and someone is wrongfully injured, when it comes to making a claim, there are two main ways people go about claiming. Some injured workers choose to partner with their employers while others seek assistance from specialist workers compensation lawyers like Australian Accident Helpline. Either way, employees can access financial recompense for their injuries although it’s always advised to use a third-party lawyer rather than dealing with your employer directly. The reason for this is because the company you work for or their insurance company may not have your best interests at heart. Some of the most common things that happen when people don’t seek the advice of a workers compensation lawyer include: Being accompanied by a representative from your employer’s insurance company during a visit to your GP, which should be private, just you and your doctor. Receiving biased, inaccurate advice that benefits your employer and the insurance company. Not you. Being pressured or advised to return to work too soon with no regards for your rehabilitation. Not only can all of the above impact you in the short term, but they could also seriously affect your future earning potential. Returning to work too early or settling claims without receiving expert legal advice can have catastrophic effects later on in life. Depending on the injury but especially things like broken bones and fractures, have a tendency to come back and bite people later on in life. Recurring injuries have caused too many Australians to suffer a significant drop in wages when they have had to find a new career to cater for their injuries. In some sad cases, people have lost their capability to work altogether. Why It’s Best to Go with A Third-Party Lawyer By using a compensation lawyer when making a worker’s compensation claim you can be confident that their advice will be accurate, unbiased and to your best interests. They will also take things like future lost earnings, treatment and rehabilitation into consideration when preparing your claim. This will ensure that you’re covered for any problems you might encounter in the future in regards to things like recurring injuries. You may already be going through a tough time dealing with unexpected medical expenses and trying to recover from your injuries. These can be stressful and confusing times, but there is help out there. All in all the worker’s compensation system in Australia is quite good. However, most lawyers offer a free initial consultation, so it doesn’t cost anything to get a second opinion to find out where you stand. Contributed by The Correspondent
The 28% fall in construction apprenticeship starts between August 2017 and March 2018 compared with the same period the previous academic year suggests the Government needs to look again at the way the Apprenticeship Levy is working, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on statistics published today by the Department for Education (DfE), Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Government’s own statistics show a 28% per cent plunge in apprenticeship starts over the current academic year so far. The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017 to boost apprenticeship training across all business sectors but so far it seems to be having the opposite effect. Some reforms are obvious and need to be looked at more urgently now. The Government should allow large companies to pass more of their Levy vouchers down through their supply chains if the company itself is not in a position to train apprentices. Currently large firms are only permitted to pass 10% of their Levy funds down to their sub-contractors and others in their supply chain. There needs to be much greater flexibility than this. In the construction sector, larger firms often do not directly employ on-site tradespeople or directly train apprentices and so there is a real danger this industry and others will continue to fail to take advantage of the Apprenticeship Levy if we can’t change this.” Berry concluded: “These figures have been published shortly after the FMB’s latest research which shows that small construction firms are experiencing record highs in terms of skills shortages. In the long term, the only way we will be able to address the chronic skills crisis is by recruiting and training more new entrants. We know that 58% of builders are struggling to hire bricklayers and 55% are having difficulties finding carpenters and joiners. We need to iron out the flaws in the Apprenticeship Levy and reverse this decline in apprenticeships to give us the best chance of tackling these skills shortages.”