Introduction to Metalworking Fluids (MWFs) Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are an indispensable product within the railway industry, facilitating the machining and shaping of metals by providing lubrication and cooling properties. Often referred to as suds, coolants, slurry, or soap, these fluids find their application primarily in machine shops or maintenance areas
The UK government’s plans for new gas power stations as back up for renewables should prompt high energy users to consider decentralised solutions to balance security of supply against the need for greener energy, according to a sector expert. The government says the new gas power stations, which will be
The Fire Protection Association will once again be attending the Fire Safety Event taking place in Birmingham this spring to assist fire safety professionals with achieving and maintaining the highest standards of fire safety management. We look forward to welcoming you to our stand (5/A131), where will be showcasing some
Specialist specification packs have been introduced by FSi Promat to help architects, fire engineers and specifiers select the correct fire stopping solutions for building projects at the earliest stage in the design, which is vital to help ensure they are delivered on time and on budget. The packs offer fast
Refreshed collaboration between leading organisations will improve educational offering Today, NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have announced the signing of a renewed collaboration agreement, delivering free, high-quality specification-related Continuous Professional Development (CPDs) to the construction industry, for a further five years.
In the years that have followed on from Grenfell, a tragic event that still lives on in our memory, there have been major discussions around the cladding and insulation materials used in the construction of high-rise buildings. As a result, a series of changes have been made to fire safety
With the proliferation of AI, cloud computing and big data, the demand for new data centres in the UK is at an all-time high. However, despite the critical need for additional capacity, the shortage of skilled construction professionals in this specialised field continues to cause bottlenecks and delay projects. To
In recent years, sustainability has become an increasingly important focus for any building development, whether a refurbishment or a new build. The introduction of BREEAM quality standards has only enhanced this even further. Having worked on a myriad of construction sites, Pexhurst’s Contracts/Commercial Manager Dan Beadle identifies the importance of
Tamworth-based trade association, the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), has urged extreme caution following an incident involving an elderly woman whose clothes became caught in a moving roller door shutter resulting in her being lifted several feet into the air. 71-year-old store cleaner, Anne Hughes’s coat became lodged in the
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, today launches its fourth annual ‘Planet Passionate’ sustainability report and announces a 65% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2020.[4],[5] In 2023 alone, the company achieved a further 40% absolute reduction in scope 1
Introduction to Metalworking Fluids (MWFs) Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are an indispensable product within the railway industry, facilitating the machining and shaping of metals by providing lubrication and cooling properties. Often referred to as suds, coolants, slurry, or soap, these fluids find their application primarily in machine shops or maintenance areas where intricate tools such as lathes, CNCs, or drills are utilised to shape metal components essential for railway operations. Understanding the Concerns Surrounding MWFs While MWFs offer significant utility in metalworking processes, they also present notable health concerns for railway workers. Prolonged exposure to these fluids can lead to various adverse health effects, including skin irritation, dermatitis, and significant respiratory ailments such as occupational asthma and bronchitis. The potential for debilitating and long-term health impacts on railway personnel underscores the critical importance of addressing MWF-related hazards effectively. Routes of Exposure to MWFs Workers in the railway sector face exposure to MWFs through multiple routes, depending on their roles and the nature of their activities. Inhalation of mist generated during machining processes, direct skin contact with unprotected areas, and ingestion due to inadequate hygiene practices represent primary routes of exposure that necessitate careful consideration. Implementing Effective Controls for MWF Exposure Mitigation To mitigate the risks associated with MWF exposure, the adoption of robust control measures is imperative: Additional Considerations and Resources Beyond direct exposure during machining activities, attention must also be directed towards associated processes such as storage, dilution, cleaning, and disposal of MWFs. Comprehensive management strategies should encompass these areas to ensure adequate risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. A wealth of resources, including guidance materials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and industry associations such as the United Kingdom Lubricants Association, offer invaluable insights into best practices for MWF safety and compliance. Moreover, our team stands ready to provide expert assistance and support in navigating the complexities of MWF management within the railway sector. How can we help? Our team specialises in occupational hygiene and offers tailored support to enhance Metalworking Fluids (MWFs) safety in the railway sector. Our expertise ensures comprehensive coverage of hazards, proactive measures, and worker awareness, fostering a safer work environment. With our assistance, railway companies can prioritise safety while maintaining operational efficiency. For more information or assistance with customised MWF safety measures, get in touch. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK government’s plans for new gas power stations as back up for renewables should prompt high energy users to consider decentralised solutions to balance security of supply against the need for greener energy, according to a sector expert. The government says the new gas power stations, which will be capable of operating for as little as one to two hours, are needed to meet demand on days when renewables such as solar and wind cannot deliver. “These plans underscore the looming energy shortages facing the UK’s power network as the energy mix rightly shifts towards renewable sources, which are inherently vulnerable to unfavourable weather conditions,” said Chris Rason, Managing Director of Aggreko Energy Services. “This issue is most acute for high energy users such as manufacturing facilities and data centres, which must maintain resilience while achieving tough voluntary and statutory decarbonisation targets. “Coupled with well-documented challenges relating to grid capacity and connection delays, it is unsustainable for high energy users to wait for centralised solutions from government. These will take many years to come to fruition, following site selection, design, planning permission and construction, and may not be ready when needed by energy intensive industries. As a result, a move towards decentralised generation is crucial.” The short-term decentralised options offered by Aggreko include battery energy storage solutions (BESS) combined with low emission, high performance Stage V generators, supporting or working independently of existing grid supply, with the option to scale to meet increased demand resulting from future expansion. Beyond this, Aggreko is also offering long term renewable solutions on a permanent basis. Chris added: “Adopting decentralised solutions gives control back to high energy users, assuring them of their ability to maintain uptime despite increasing challenges for the security of supply from the grid, while offering the ability to scale up or down depending on grid performance and operational needs.” Aggreko’s support for the energy transition is reflected in its recently launched sustainability framework, Energising Change. The framework allows Aggreko and the organisations it works with to embed low-carbon power technologies in their operations. At the heart of Energising Change are investments that give high energy users access to cleaner and greener energy sources, such as the expansion of its fleets of small, mid and large-size BESS, which builds on $140m earmarked over the last two years to expand Aggreko’s Greener UpgradesTM fleet, including new boilers, Stage V generators, batteries and chillers. To find out more, visit: www.aggreko.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Fire Protection Association will once again be attending the Fire Safety Event taking place in Birmingham this spring to assist fire safety professionals with achieving and maintaining the highest standards of fire safety management. We look forward to welcoming you to our stand (5/A131), where will be showcasing some of the FPA’s most recent developments including our newly launched E-learning training courses, the new fire test and assessment method for external cladding systems (RISC 501), and the updated LPC Sprinkler Rules and related Technical Bulletins which are now available via a subscription. We are also pleased to confirm that global testing leader, UL Solutions will be co-located next to the FPA stand to support you with any enquiries you may have for our fire resistance testing collaboration. Hear from the FPA’s Deputy Managing Director, Howard Passey Arson: what can your business do about deliberate fire raising?Wednesday 1 May 12:30 – 13:00Fire Safety Leaders Summit All businesses are potential targets for deliberate fire raising. This talk aims to raise awareness of the issue and present a range of measures that may be considered to assist business and property owners to reduce their arson risk. The measures outlined will be generic in nature and may be adapted for application in a wide spectrum of residential, commercial and industrial occupied premises. Howard will also explore the relation of arson to your fire strategy and fire risk assessment. Many practical actions and measures can be taken to deter fire raising at little cost to a business so if you would like to learn more about this serious threat then, join this CPD-accredited talk. Attendees will be able to access a complimentary digital copy of the FPA’s RC48 Risk Control Guide: Arson prevention – the protection of premises from deliberate fire raising. We look forward to seeing you there. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Specialist specification packs have been introduced by FSi Promat to help architects, fire engineers and specifiers select the correct fire stopping solutions for building projects at the earliest stage in the design, which is vital to help ensure they are delivered on time and on budget. The packs offer fast access to the in-depth information that is needed to accurately specify fire stopping products and systems during the design stage of the building. The FSi Promat specification packs bring together all the information that would be required when specifying fire stopping systems, including technical guidance, support documents, typical details for a project of the same scope, diagrams explaining installations and the configuration for tested solutions. The technical documents will contain spacing guidance, to ensure the correct distance is maintained between services and apertures in walls and ceilings, covering the demands of single service and multi-service penetrations. The specification packs will also include documents about movement accommodation at the deflection head, if required, which is vital to maintain compartment integrity. By introducing the specification packs, FSi Promat aims to increase the level of support for projects at the earliest stage, providing a full breakdown of the application of passive fire protection needed and the testing that supports that use. John Gardner, National Specification Manager at FSi Promat, works with developers, architects, and contractors to support them in meeting the passive fire protection requirements of projects, and has worked alongside the technical team to develop the specification packs. Under the new scheme, John will collate the details, guidance and information that apply to a specific project and work alongside the specifier or fire engineer to ensure that tested solutions are considered, and included, from the earliest stage, avoiding delays caused by the need for evaluations to be done at the installation point. This level of early engagement means that developers can save a significant amount of time by installing tested solutions and avoid issues such as incorrect service spacing, which would mean that an evaluation needs to be carried out to ensure compliance with regulations. The specification packs will also help to identify where bespoke evaluations and judgements could be needed and anything that falls outside of the guidance. This can then be referred to the technical team at FSi Promat for extra support. John said: “Access to detailed information is more important than ever before with the introduction of the Building Safety Act and the golden thread. By introducing specification packs, FSi Promat has two objectives: To support the early specification of passive fire protection, but also to provide the information needed for the golden thread at an early stage, ensuring our customers have everything they need at their fingertips. “Specifying passive fire protection can be complex, especially where there is an additional challenge, such as an unusual application, and giving as much information and guidance as possible is the best way to support accurate specification to ensure projects run on time and are compliant. “FSi Promat is known for its technical support and that will continue – but the specification packs will enable us to provide an additional level of depth to the support we offer, covering all bases and helping customers to apply our specialist knowledge to their project easily.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Refreshed collaboration between leading organisations will improve educational offering Today, NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have announced the signing of a renewed collaboration agreement, delivering free, high-quality specification-related Continuous Professional Development (CPDs) to the construction industry, for a further five years. The continued partnership marks the 30th anniversary of the RIBA CPD Providers Network. Established in 1994 to support and promote CPD, it connects those working in the construction and design industry with partner construction product manufacturers and suppliers. The agreement underscores the commitment to provide architects and other built environment professionals with highly relevant training and information, helping their ongoing competency and supporting quality throughout the built environment. Each year, RIBA Chartered Members are required to achieve 35 hours’ worth of CPD, as part of their continual development. All manner of experts, from manufacturers to advisory bodies, make up the members of the RIBA CPD Providers Network, helping architects deliver the highest quality services to clients. For RIBA members and other construction specifiers, the renewed collaboration means continued access to high-quality, RIBA-assessed CPD content, available in various formats, including in-house, online, or at RIBA CPD Expo’s and online events. All content undergoes a thorough assessment by RIBA and is designed to be trusted, helping to support safe and informed project specifications. Part of the agreement includes investing in a new and improved website showcasing CPD materials. Launching later in 2024, it will be an intuitive, easy-to-use platform to connect specifiers with CPD material from RIBA CPD Providers Network members. Commenting on the renewed partnership, Russell Haworth, CEO (UK & Ireland) at Byggfakta Group (NBS’ parent company) said: “In today’s climate, RIBA-assessed CPDs have never been more relevant. The RIBA seal of approval is a symbol of trust, so built environment professionals can be sure that the information they receive is accurate and informed. “We’re proud to support RIBA for another five years in our joint mission to encourage specification brilliance and confidence when designing. CPDs make a huge contribution to ongoing learning and are needed more than ever to meet new regulations and standards.” RIBA Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE said: “Over the past 30 years, the RIBA CPD Providers Network has helped architects and many other built environment professionals to improve and maintain their competence through free, RIBA assessed specification CPD that they know they can trust. I am delighted to commit to five more years of this valuable partnership between RIBA and NBS. I look forward to harnessing our combined expertise to ensure the built environment sector maintains the highest standards of professional competence for the next five years and beyond.” To find out more about RIBA CPD Providers Network, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the years that have followed on from Grenfell, a tragic event that still lives on in our memory, there have been major discussions around the cladding and insulation materials used in the construction of high-rise buildings. As a result, a series of changes have been made to fire safety regulations in England and Wales – culminating in the Building Safety Act 2022. The landmark piece of legislation, heralded by former housing minister Robert Jendrick as the “biggest change in building safety for a generation”, has sought to rapidly raise the standards for building fire safety. Now, almost one year after the Building Safety Act 2022 came into effect and six months after secondary legislation was implemented, what impact has this had on the construction industry? How fast is progress really being made? Oliver Lawton, co-founder of the Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) and Managing Director at Lawton Tubes, explores what more needs to be done to make the built environment as safe as possible. What are the latest changes to fire safety legislation? One of the key pieces of legislation to come out of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry was the banning of the flammable cladding and insulation materials that were deemed responsible for spreading the blaze. The inquiry concluded that aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding “acted as source of fuel”, causing the fire to spread quickly around the building. The material was soon banned from external wall systems of certain high-rise buildings over 18m in height. This was then extended to buildings over 11 metres in 2020, after another fire stoked by combustible cladding in Bolton in a building that was only 17.84m tall. In 2022, further revisions were made to bring hotels, hostels and boarding houses within the scope of the ban and to prohibit the use of metal composite materials with a PE core from the external wall systems of all new buildings – regardless of size or use. Beyond the flashpoint of combustible materials, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022 have sought to implement more robust processes for evaluating building fire safety – something we wholly welcome. The changes aim to “go faster and further to promote fire safety” and include introducing a new Building Safety Regulator with powers to impose harsher penalties for malpractice. So, what are the benefits? Following the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022, work is now underway to remove flammable cladding and update fire safety processes in line with new standards. We know that one of the Government’s main priorities has been to identify and start works on the buildings that share the same flammable ACM cladding that was responsible for spreading the fire at Grenfell. As of December 2023, 96% of the 496 high-rise buildings with ACM cladding have either started or completed remediation work. However, this data does not account for the buildings over 11m that have recently come into the scope of the ban. The gravity of the Grenfell tragedy and subsequent scrutiny of the UK’s cladding crisis has raised awareness of the dangers of plastics in construction, spotlighting an issue that urgently needed to be addressed. Not only have plastics like PE been shown to pose a major risk to fire safety, but as the case of the Grenfell firefighters diagnosed with terminal cancer sadly shows, they also contain dangerous chemicals that seriously threaten human health. Recent legislative changes call for a more proactive approach to fire safety across the design, construction, and operational phases of a building – setting out the responsibilities of different parties more clearly and holding those that fail to meet these obligations to account. Regulatory framework has also seen huge improvements in recent years – most recently with the new Building Safety Regulator being granted increased powers to impose unlimited fines and prison terms of up to two years on property owners and developers that fail to comply with regulations. What are the shortcomings of the new fire safety regulations? There is no doubt that new fire safety legislation is already having a positive impact, with the removal of dangerous cladding helping to protect thousands of residents. What is concerning, however, is the number of buildings that are still at risk. To date, remedial works have been largely confined to buildings with Grenfell-style ACM cladding. Efforts to remove other types of dangerous cladding such as high-pressure laminate and other plastics like PVC, have made considerably slower progress. As of December 2023, only 24% of the 950 high-rise buildings identified as having dangerous non-ACM cladding have completed remediation, leaving 719 buildings susceptible to cladding-related fire risks. Progress has been even slower on buildings between 11m and 18m, with only 21% of mid-rise blocks with flammable cladding of any kind completing remediation. Another aspect of the legislation that has raised concern is that many buildings still aren’t considered. While the scope of the ban has been extended and now includes high-rise residential buildings, hospitals, care homes, student accommodation, hotels, hostels and boarding houses, combustible materials can still be used in the external walls of other types of buildings – such as places of worship, sports stadiums and low-rise blocks of flats that don’t meet the height threshold of 11m. The ban on combustible materials has so far also only been limited to the external walls of buildings. While this is understandable, it also overshadows the many fire risks that exist in other parts of a building. Flammable plastic materials like PE, PVC and HDPE are still routinely used in a variety of products, including pipework, window frames, coverings, guttering and roofing, posing serious risks to fire safety. What more needs to be done to protect residents? In recent years, more evidence has come to light regarding the safety of plastics, laying bare the risks that these materials pose and substantiating the arguments that more extensive bans need to be put in place. As a material with a naturally low melting point, plastic has no part to play in the
With the proliferation of AI, cloud computing and big data, the demand for new data centres in the UK is at an all-time high. However, despite the critical need for additional capacity, the shortage of skilled construction professionals in this specialised field continues to cause bottlenecks and delay projects. To help address this challenge, The Shore Group provides expert insight for companies looking to gain the advantage in project resourcing and recruitment. The Shore Group Co-Founder, Lewis Yorke-Johnson shares his practical advice for seamless project resourcing. Helping contractors navigate the difficult balancing act of managing project budgets with the pressures of meeting completion deadlines, Lewis provides valuable guidance to aid successful project delivery in 2024. “The demand for experienced data centre construction professionals in the UK is unprecedented and rising. To meet this demand, companies need to adopt a strategic and forward-thinking approach to project resourcing and recruitment. This requires a blend of traditional recruitment methods and innovative solutions tailored to the specific requirements of the data centre construction pipeline.” With his extensive experience and knowledge of data centre project delivery, Lewis shares his advice to help data centre developers better plan for the year ahead. Pairing deep sector expertise with the latest insights from data centre candidates, read on for Lewis’ guide to seamless project resourcing. 1. Recruit from Centres of Excellence Leveraging talent from international project management and engineering hotspots provides a fresh pool of skilled professionals to meet the growing demand for experienced professionals. By tapping into these talent hubs, companies can access a diverse range of proven skill sets and perspectives to enhance their project teams. “Developers would love to nurture the next generation of project talent; however the urgent development pipeline means identifying experienced professionals from overseas markets is an essential strategy. We’ve placed numerous engineers and project managers from Ireland onto UK data centre projects. They’re highly skilled and hit the ground running, making a huge difference to delivery. 2.Decision Making Speed In the fast-paced world of data centre development, delayed decision-making can translate to missed recruitment opportunities and delayed projects. Ironically, in a sector where speed is paramount, traditional, slow recruitment processes still dominate. Streamlined application and recruitment decisions standout, making a huge difference to candidate acceptance rates. 3. Showcasing New Head Office Developments Top talent is attracted to organizations that prioritise employee well-being and invest in cutting-edge facilities. Even though most construction roles will be based on-site, candidates still place a huge weight on iconic, state-of-the-art head offices and wider company investments. “Creating the right impression with candidates at first interview makes a huge difference. Top tier contractors use their flagship offices to showcase their financial strength and progressive company cultures. This can be a powerful differentiator in recruitment which is why we see a clear trend of investment from contractors at the moment.” 4. Hyper Local Remuneration Mapping Understanding the local market dynamics and calibrating compensation packages accordingly can help companies remain competitive in the recruitment landscape. The clustered locations of data centres can lead to resource shortages and localised inflated pay rates. Regular bench marking and remuneration reviews are vital recruitment and retention tools. 5. Career Mapping and Development Planning With data centre construction pipelines running into multiple years, providing clear pathways for career advancement is essential to attract skilled professionals. The most effective project resourcing campaigns sell multi-year, multi-project opportunities to candidates, backed by mentorship programs, training opportunities, and skills developments.“The booming demand for data centre construction professionals in the UK necessitates a strategic and innovative approach to project resourcing. Contractors need to sell a bigger dream than just a single project for the best candidates. Showcasing case studies of career progression within a business across multiple projects are powerful asset to support decision-making.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In recent years, sustainability has become an increasingly important focus for any building development, whether a refurbishment or a new build. The introduction of BREEAM quality standards has only enhanced this even further. Having worked on a myriad of construction sites, Pexhurst’s Contracts/Commercial Manager Dan Beadle identifies the importance of early collaboration between architects, the client and our supply chain of sub-contractors. Additionally, he reveals the environmental, social, and economic impacts that retrofitting with BREEAM in mind can have. Although incredibly important during retrofitting projects, where new energy efficient systems are fitted in buildings previously built without them, BREEAM sustainability targets are difficult to achieve, but no doubt a worthwhile endeavour. BREEAM assessments use recognised measures of performance that are set against established benchmarks to evaluate a building’s specification, design, construction and use. These measures represent a comprehensive range of categories and criteria, including ecology and energy. Each of these categories focus on the most influential factors, including low impact design, ecological value, reduced carbon emissions, biodiversity protection and adaptation to climate change. Indeed, studies by Holmes and Hudson in 2002 revealed that the objective of achieving an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating can significantly influence the original design of a building and the changes made to the design, including ventilation design, water services, materials and the design of the building itself. With that in mind, working closely with designers, architects and sub-contractors at a very early stage in the retrofitting project is absolutely crucial. Doing so and integrating sustainability measures at this early stage can help to enable increases in asset value, building user experience, risk mitigation, and reduced life cycle costs. Setting objectives and thinking ahead makes a huge difference With BREEAM relatively new to the retrofitting sector, identifying and researching material that will be specifically helpful in meeting and exceeding sustainability targets is crucial. Furthermore, as Mark Farmer[1] once explained, “collaboration prevents itself scaling up, sharing risk more appropriately and creating better business plan certainty.” When it comes to building design and sustainability, two heads are definitely better than one. Indeed, more considerate planning and collaboration is likely to help future building projects deliver holistically sustainable BREEAM buildings. With this in mind, it’s important the industry shifts its mind-set towards incorporating the framework into new projects from the very beginning of the design process. Additionally, collaborative working at the start can also prevent projects incurring further costs, which can often happen when BREEAM is incorporated much later into the project. Similarly, by not commencing any BREEAM requirements at an early stage of the project, there is an increasing likelihood the project won’t finish on time. Increasing the longevity of the building As well as having an improved environmental impact, the successful implementation of BREEAM on a retrofitting project can also enhance the longevity of a building. Often, implementing BREEAM targets can enhance the project quality by reducing defects and enforcing the need for strict commissioning procedures. Compared to the same refurbishment without a similar scheme in place, this provides a better and more valuable property for the client. It also highlights the importance of making collaborative decisions during the design and construction phases and how doing so can have far-reaching impacts on the building’s overall lifespan. This can include anything from resultant emissions through to resource consumption. While studies have revealed that build costs are typically increased by 1% if BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ grades are to be achieved, long-term retrofitting of a building can actually decrease the building’s operating cost. So, while in the short-term it is a more expensive construction process, the longer-term financial benefits typically outweigh this. Additionally, BREEAM does not currently provide a holistic approach to sustainability, nor a full life-cycle assessment, so consideration must be paid to this when working on the design of any building that has sustainability in mind. Operating with the environment in mind The Government’s Carbon Net Zero Guidance Note reveals that around 40% of UK carbon emissions are linked to the built environment. Furthermore, the construction industry generates 32% of all waste sent to landfill. As a result, the environmental assessment of buildings has increasingly become a major focus of the sustainable built environment. BREEAM evaluates environmental performance across a myriad of different categories, including health and well-being, land use and ecology, energy, management, and pollution. Additionally, BREEAM standards help to provide a meaningful and evolving pathway towards ecological protection, recovery and mitigation. There is also a strong incentivisation to reduce carbon emission, with flexible and achievable benchmarks relating to operational and embodied performance. This is especially important given the fact that embodied carbon, emissions created during the manufacture of building materials and construction practices, accounts for approximately 22% of all emissions in a new development. With these targets in mind, retrofitting projects can typically incorporate measures and focus on building fabric improvements and upgrading services with modern technologies and materials. For example, insulation can be enhanced, carbon-burning appliances can be replaced with air-source heat pumps and energy efficient features such as rainwater harvesting systems, photovoltaic panels, zonal heating and lighting controls and LED lighting can be integrated. Better occupant health and wellbeing Buildings with BREEAM certification are designed and constructed to high environmental performance standards, meaning they’re likely to have better air quality, use safer materials for human health, and have other features that can boost occupants’ wellbeing. This is supported by a BREEAM survey, which revealed that 59% of respondents reported an ‘improved occupant satisfaction’ as a benefit of having completed a BREEAM assessment during their project. Additionally, BREEAM certified buildings are designed to use less energy for lighting, heating, and cooling, resulting in lower energy bills for the occupants and significant savings over the long term. In summary Overall, with sustainability demands constantly changing and evolving, the need to outline the plans and methods for meeting the desired BREEAM score into retrofitting projects, ideally before works start, is becoming increasingly more important, as is close collaboration with the project team. As a sustainability-focused company, Pexhurst
Tamworth-based trade association, the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), has urged extreme caution following an incident involving an elderly woman whose clothes became caught in a moving roller door shutter resulting in her being lifted several feet into the air. 71-year-old store cleaner, Anne Hughes’s coat became lodged in the rising shutter outside the Best One off-licence in Pontypridd, South Wales, on Monday. And despite being quickly rescued by store manager, Amed Akram, 44, Ms Hughes was left dangling upside down in an incident that DHF has described as a shocking and unacceptable ‘near-miss-fatality’. In addition, a video of the incident, currently being circulated on several social media platforms, has resulted in a reaction of laughter as opposed to concern. In an article in yesterday’s Mirror, New Reporter Susie Beever states: “A woman’s embarrassing faux pas with some window shutters has left people in hysterics after the hilarious moment was caught on CCTV.” “This incident is far from amusing and could very easily have resulted in tragedy had Anne’s coat fabric failed and she fell onto her head ,” explains DHF’s Training and Compliance Officer, Nick Perkins. “The two glaring issues are that there is a hooking hazard on the door on which Ms Hughes became caught. Additionally, the door was opening automatically and according to the now 24-year-old standard for roller shutter doors, either the hooking hazard should have been removed, or the door should have been operated from a ‘hold-to-run control’ that would only function within sight of the door, or the door should have been torque limited so that it could not lift more than 20kg. “There should not have been any hooking hazards on a shutter that would act in this way and questions should be raised as to why the shutter drive (motor) was so overpowered to be able to lift a person as well as the weight of the shutter? We cannot emphasise enough the seriousness of this situation, and we urge owners and managers, who have a responsibility to all users particularly when on property that is used, accessed or open to the public, to ensure that they are adhering to the legal requirements for these products.”The law relating to placing roller shutter doors on the market in the UK can be referenced here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1597/contents/made https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1387/introduction/made Similarly, the law affecting the operation of, the owning and/or managing of roller shutter doors in the UK can be refenced here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/3004/contents/made https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents “EN 12453 has been published by BSI in the UK since 2001 and describes in detail the safety measures that must be implemented when a roller shutter door is placed on the market and hence should be in place for a door in service,” concludes Nick. “Further DHF guidance for owners and managers can be found in publication, DHF TS 013-3.” DHF publication DHF TS 013-3 can be downloaded free of charge from the DHF website https://bit.ly/DHFTechnicalSpecifications Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, today launches its fourth annual ‘Planet Passionate’ sustainability report and announces a 65% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2020.[4],[5] In 2023 alone, the company achieved a further 40% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since its base year, accelerated by the introduction of its business-wide internal carbon price in January 2023.[6] The report also shows that 49.6% of all wholly-owned Kingspan sites had solar PV systems installed by year-end, a marked boost to the company’s on-site renewable energy generation capacity. In addition to these operational achievements, in 2023 Kingspan made important headway in its innovation journey to reduce the embodied carbon of its product offering, introducing three lower embodied carbon products – QuadCore LEC insulated panels, RMG600+ raised access floor panels and the Tate Grid LEC structural ceiling solution – to some of its markets. The company also launched its bio-based HemKor range in November 2023, marking the first time a major insulation manufacturer has launched a product made largely of hemp. Other key developments highlighted in the report include: Kingspan’s 10-year Planet Passionate sustainability programme is the driving force behind its efforts to decarbonise its operations, product offering and supply chain, prioritising absolute emissions reductions. The company has committed to challenging science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) covering scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions, including achieving a 90% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within its operations and a 42% absolute reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions from its 2020 base year. These targets are aligned with the IPCC’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century. The programme also features measurable targets to harvest rainwater, eliminate waste to landfill and increase use of recycled PET as a raw material to help tackle three of today’s biggest global challenges: climate change, circularity and protection of the natural world. Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan Group, said: “We are acutely aware that as the climate crisis intensifies, our mission to help accelerate a net-zero emissions built environment has never been more important. To play our part in keeping global temperature rises within the 1.5°C limit, we committed to absolute emissions reductions and focused on making tangible progress in the short- to medium-term through our Planet Passionate programme. In a business like Kingspan, that is only possible with significant structural and time investment and an unwavering dedication to delivering real results. Our global team of more than 100 people has completed over 300 projects across our business since 2020 to help realise our targets. With the majority of Kingspan’s value chain emissions coming from our upstream supply chain, we are working closely with our key supply partners to reduce the carbon intensity of our key raw materials. This work has enabled us to bring new lower embodied carbon products to market in 2023. We still have a lot of work to do and must continue to refocus and respond as the business grows and evolves, but I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved in just four years and look forward to further progress towards our targets as Planet Passionate enters its fifth year.” The launch of Kingspan’s 2023 Planet Passionate report follows the recent announcement that the company was included on the globally-recognised CDP Climate Change A List, which recognises environmental leadership through transparency and meaningful climate action. Kingspan was one of just 346 companies to make the 2023 CDP Climate Change A List, of the 21,000 companies scored by CDP. In addition, CDP has also named Kingspan as a 2023 Supplier Engagement Leader in recognition of the company’s effectiveness in engaging with suppliers on climate change. Read the full report here: Kingspan Planet Passionate Report 2023 (ipaper.io) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
