BM TRADA/Warringtonfire will be returning to FIREX with a stand explaining the process of fire testing and classifying construction products, and the importance of third-party certification. Delegates attending the show at the London ExCeL between 16 – 18 May 2023, can visit the BM TRADA/Warringtonfire stand (FI.1430) to interact with
Environmental Product Declarations offer facts for environmental and climate protection The building sector is responsible for over 30 percent of global CO2 emissions. In the fight against climate change and for an environmentally friendly future, it is therefore particularly important to build in a sustainable and resource-saving way. But how
Your construction company’s efficiency relies on many aspects of doing business in 2023. The world changes all the time, and you need to change with it. Fortunately, you don’t need to make huge changes. And you only need to make minor changes to how you manage your business. Of course,
Consumers keen to see progress, with 73% willing to spend more with greener organisations Progress towards a sustainable world risks being held back as UK businesses grapple with increasing costs and a lack of clarity around a credible path to net zero, despite a tripling of awareness of the importance
The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Professionals (ALEP) has written to the Government to call for an urgent amendment to the Building Safety Act 2022 (‘BSA’), which it says is currently causing doubt and uncertainty for leaseholders and the professionals trying to advise them. ALEP’s letter to Rachel Maclean, Minister of State (Housing and Planning) highlights a key concern over the definition of a ‘qualifying lease’ under Section 119 of the Building Safety
Investment in infrastructure is a key growth priority for many European governments, but how can this be reconciled with the current skills crisis facing the construction sector? According to the latest EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses, 38 per cent of European countries who ranked building construction labourer shortages
As the largest dedicated exhibition of its kind, OFFSITE EXPO is leading the way in promoting the technologies that are transforming the built environment – and the show is getting bigger for 2023. Targeting 4,000 plus visitors, OFFSITE EXPO will be taking place on 19 – 20 September 2023 at
Proposed planning fee increases could help local planning services address capacity, recruitment, and performance challenges, which the RTPI says threaten the Government’s goals to boost home ownership and level up. However, these increases may not come soon enough for councils with scheduled staffing cuts, according to Royal Town Planning Institute
Commercial buildings need to serve a range of different purposes. They must be commercially viable and act as attractive spaces for clients and customers, they must be practical and allow staff to carry out their work properly, and they must be safe to protect all occupants. To address these varied
LEADING social value experts at Loop are today launching a survey for the construction market, which aims to identify where the wider industry sits on social value, and where things can be improved. When analysed, the results will reveal how much organisations are focusing on social value, how they are
BM TRADA/Warringtonfire will be returning to FIREX with a stand explaining the process of fire testing and classifying construction products, and the importance of third-party certification. Delegates attending the show at the London ExCeL between 16 – 18 May 2023, can visit the BM TRADA/Warringtonfire stand (FI.1430) to interact with display models of key construction products including fire doors, glazing systems, pipes and cables, all of which have been subjected to fire resistance testing. The team’s technical experts will also be on hand to discuss the principles of third-party certification for manufacturers, installers, and maintainers of passive fire protection products and the important role played by its Certifire and BM TRADA Q-Mark certification schemes. Each day, BM TRADA/ Warringtonfire, which are UKAS-accredited third-party certification bodies, will carry out live demonstrations of correct fire door installation, and how to install fire stopping measures – running at 12pm and 2pm respectively. Visitors attending on Wednesday 17th May can hear about the methods used to derive European classifications for construction products, when technical manager, Peter presents in the FIREX theatre at 2.15pm. The European classification standards (EN 13501 series) define harmonised procedures for classifying the resistance and reaction to fire performance of construction products. Peter’s presentation will cover test methods, the extension of scope using direct (DIAP) and extended application (EXAP) rules, classification process, product families and using classifications for UKCA marking and third-party certification. Peter Barker, technical manager at Warringtonfire, said: “Third-party certification is once again the overriding theme of FIREX, given its fundamental importance to the design, construction and operation of safe and secure buildings. We are looking forward to engaging with delegates on a broad range of topics and hope to provide direct and informed guidance on navigating the fire safety challenges facing today’s built environment.” For more information, please visit: www.warringtonfire.com / www.bmtrada.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Environmental Product Declarations offer facts for environmental and climate protection The building sector is responsible for over 30 percent of global CO2 emissions. In the fight against climate change and for an environmentally friendly future, it is therefore particularly important to build in a sustainable and resource-saving way. But how to find the most climate-friendly among all the products? How is sustainable planning and building possible? The best way is with measurable data and transparency. This can be found in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Environmental Product Declarations are a method for the standardised presentation of the environmental impacts of products or services. EPDs provide a data basis that maps the entire life cycle of a building product or parts thereof and quantifies its environmental impacts. Environmental Product Declarations are based on the international standard ISO 14025, which applies to all sectors, but the construction industry is the pioneer in its application. The idea is that the standardised collection of environmental data on building products creates a comparable basis for sustainable construction planning. Planners, architects and builders then use this information to make an informed decision when making their selection. They use the EPD to determine which building products will minimise the environmental impact of their project. This supports sustainable construction and advances climate protection. At the same time, a sustainable way of doing business is also supported, which aims to conserve resources and reduce environmental pollution. In addition, customers can use them as evidence for various building certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM or DGNB. The most important contents of an EPD In an EPD, the environmental impacts of a product are recorded along the entire life cycle or in parts, including raw material extraction, production, transport, use, disposal and recycling, among others. For each area, various environmental criteria such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption are recorded and evaluated. These results or environmental indicators flow into the EPD and enable comparability between building products. An important component of an Environmental Product Declaration is the assignment of the product to a specific product category. This classification in the Product Category Rules (PCR) is necessary to establish comparability between similar products. In each product category, the relevant environmental factors are recorded and included in the EPD. Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessments – two that belong together Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) are two key elements of sustainability in the construction industry that are closely linked. Simplified, one can say that the EPD is a standardised summary of the results of a LCA. The LCA is carried out in four phases. First the purpose and scope of the LCA is defined. This is followed by a life cycle inventory, which records data collection and calculation methods to quantify relevant inputs and outputs of a product system. In the impact assessment phase, potential impacts on the environment are analysed with the help of the results of the life cycle inventory. In the final evaluation, the results of the life cycle inventory and the impact assessment are considered together. Depending on the building product, there are different approaches to assessing environmental impacts. All start from cradle and differ over the further life cycle of the product. The concept “cradle to grave” covers all phases of a product’s life, from raw material extraction to production, transport, use and disposal. It shows the complete ecological footprint from beginning to end. The approach “cradle to gate” records the ecological footprint of a product until it leaves the factory gate and before it is transported to the consumer. It does not take into account further environmental impacts during use and disposal. “Cradle to cradle” is the most comprehensive consideration. It is based on the principle of the circular economy, where products are designed so that they can either be fully recycled or composted at the end of their life cycle. It avoids the generation of waste and promotes the conservation of resources. How does aquatherm support its customers and partners with the LCA? aquatherm has had an ISO-compliant LCA carried out for four product families, which has been verified by an independent institute. Based on these Life Cycle Assessments, aquatherm provides customers with the corresponding EPDs for their projects. The results show that aquatherm piping solutions made of polypropylene have clear advantages compared to other materials such as copper or steel with regard to energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and the amount of waste. The aquatherm environmental product declarations can be found at https://www.aquatherm.de/sustainability-2/?lang=en. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Your construction company’s efficiency relies on many aspects of doing business in 2023. The world changes all the time, and you need to change with it. Fortunately, you don’t need to make huge changes. And you only need to make minor changes to how you manage your business. Of course, any changes must be handled correctly. So, here are some good starting tips. Better HR and Staff Management From the smallest freelance or self-employed role to the larger multinational corporations, your employees are your bread and butter. Yet with so many things to do on a day-to-day basis, managing staff can slip away from you. But don’t worry, since you can get help from expert HR consulting companies and recruitment agencies. When you use services like these, you are rewarded with more time to focus on your business and leave the complex work to others. Outsource Where You Need To Like using HR companies, you can get immediate access to qualified, certified, and expert staff using outsourcing agencies. You can use outsourced services for pretty much anything. And over 90% of businesses do for at least one core service. These typically include services such as IT management, virtual assistants and receptionists, and even logistics services. Outsource services are often tiered and priced according to your needs, so they are affordable. Invest In Tech for Construction Company Efficiency Technology moves at such a rapid pace it can be hard to keep up. The modern expansion of artificial intelligence systems is a perfect example. But even lesser technologies, such as the way we use the web and cloud systems, have now become a core part of life and business. And in construction specifically, you can use improved technologies like these to improve your services, manage efficiency and collaborate on existing projects from anywhere in the world. Upgrade Existing Equipment Construction equipment is expensive. So you must do all you can to maintain it. This keeps costs low and also ensures your projects are as safe as possible. But the time comes when you need to invest in equipment and upgrade certain parts as required. Alternatively, you can hire or outsource equipment. When you do this, you are not responsible for upgrades, you don’t need to worry about insurance, and you can replace items when needed, or you require an upgrade. Manage Your Projects Effectively Effective project management is key to the successful completion of a construction contract. You need a clear plan in place before starting. This should include a realistic timeline, budget allocations and constraints, and continuous monitoring. This used to be more challenging. But today, you can use project management and collaboration apps such as Autodesk BIM, Revisto, and Co-Construct. All of these apps have pros and cons, taking time to find what you need. Summary You can improve construction company efficiency this year with some minor adjustments. You can use HR and outsourced teams, invest in your technology and manage projects using mobile apps. These will help bring your business into the digital age to meet customer expectations.
Consumers keen to see progress, with 73% willing to spend more with greener organisations Progress towards a sustainable world risks being held back as UK businesses grapple with increasing costs and a lack of clarity around a credible path to net zero, despite a tripling of awareness of the importance of reducing emissions and the potential commercial opportunity amongst small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to research published by BSI. BSI, the UK National Standards Body, today publishes the third annual Net Zero Barometer. The research, drawn from interviews, a survey of 1,000 senior decision makers at UK SMEs and another of 1,000 UK consumers, finds that awareness of the importance of achieving net zero targets has almost tripled to 82% in two years[1], highlighting the opportunity for organizations to partner across their supply chains to accelerate progress. With many SMEs now also identifying the resulting cost benefits as a major reason to increase efforts in this area, it also suggests there’s a competitive edge to be gained by those that collaborate to pursue their net zero goals. Currently, only a third of SMEs are extremely confident[2] as to how to reach net zero, suggesting more clarity about doing so is needed. The report recommends that SMEs: While many SMEs have already delivered on ‘quick wins’, such as reducing waste (44%) or switching to LED bulbs (38%), the research finds there is more to be done on strategic thinking. 52% of those questioned had a net zero policy, while 17% – some 929,900 organizations[3] – have still to take key actions on becoming more sustainable, meaning they may risk falling short of realizing their ambitions without further action. SMEs contribute over £2 trillion to the UK economy, giving them a critical role in progressing its net zero transition. Yet while Covid-19 pressures have somewhat subsided, the current geopolitical context means cost remains a vital obstacle. Nearly two thirds (63%) cited the cost-of-living crisis as the biggest inhibiting factor, followed by the energy crisis (50%). Many are calling for extra financial support: Over half believe that clean energy subsidies (56%) and government grants for new projects (52%) would help them meet targets. The barriers to progress come despite a separate survey showing that three quarters (73%) of consumers would pay more for an item or service from a company with good environmental credentials and a real commitment to hit net zero, with 93% of those in Gen Z[4] likely to be loyal to a climate friendly brand. Although value for money and factoring in inflation came top, in the same survey 48% of people noted environmental concerns as a consideration when they purchase goods or services. Notably, SMEs are increasingly recognizing the financial value of accelerating progress towards net zero. Two fifths cited the prospect of reduced costs as one of the main benefits, while 31% believed that doing so would be positive because it would enhance their image and reputation. Equally, with organizations looking at not only their own emissions but Scope 3 emissions in their supply chain, the report notes that for those organizations who supply others, transparency and clarity of carbon accounting is set to become an asset in winning contracts and growing the bottom line. The research emphasizes the importance of verifying environmental claims, with 94% of consumers saying that proper verification was important to them. Two-thirds of these said verification mattered because it demonstrates organizations aren’t just greenwashing, while 32% said verifying against best practice standards can provide a benchmark by which they can compare one business with another. The 2023 Net Zero Barometer also found that: Scott Steedman, Director-General, Standards at BSI said: “This year’s barometer gives me cause for optimism. With 82% of business leaders telling us that sustainability and achieving net zero is important to their business practice, we are seeing a growing commitment to decarbonizing by 2050, along with confidence that it is meaningful to turn long term ambition into immediate action. “At a time where the attention of many SME leaders is being diverted by economic pressures, they want help to navigate a path that is both credible and realistic. SMEs want to understand both where they are on this journey, and what that transition means for them and their stakeholders. They can benefit from having a clear roadmap to how they’re going to achieve net zero, not only in their own operations, but also in their supply chains. Our research shows that with the right guidance – including the use of standards – SMEs are more than able to rise to this moment.” “Small businesses contribute more than £2 trillion in turnover to the UK economy. The collective impact they can have if they pull together and collaborate to meet net zero goals and ultimately accelerate progress to a sustainable world is significant.” [1] 82% of business leaders told us that sustainability and net zero was important, up from three in ten who believed their business had a responsibility to remove or reduce direct carbon emissions in 2021 [2] Question asked whether leaders were confident or extremely confident [3] Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2022, Gov.UK [4] Those born between the late 1990s and the late 2010s Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Professionals (ALEP) has written to the Government to call for an urgent amendment to the Building Safety Act 2022 (‘BSA’), which it says is currently causing doubt and uncertainty for leaseholders and the professionals trying to advise them. ALEP’s letter to Rachel Maclean, Minister of State (Housing and Planning) highlights a key concern over the definition of a ‘qualifying lease’ under Section 119 of the Building Safety Act, which states that the lease needs to have been granted before 14 February 2022 in order to qualify. Mark Chick, Director at ALEP, said: “As worded, the definition raises the question of whether a new lease granted on or after 14 February 2022 will be a ‘qualifying lease’, in circumstances where the existing lease is a ‘qualifying lease’. “This issue is causing doubt and uncertainty for leaseholders, which advisors are now obliged to address in each individual case. The issue was compounded by unclear guidance on the matter published by the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities. “ALEP contacted the Minister to clarify the definition with the aim of getting clarity for our members and their clients and, subsequently the guidance note has been further amended. Government clearly acknowledges that there is a problem here as the renewed guidance states: ‘9. If you are a qualifying leaseholder and you extend or vary your lease, you may surrender your existing lease and be granted a new lease. As the new lease will not have been granted before 14 February 2022, the statutory leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act 2022 will not apply. We are looking to legislate to resolve this issue as soon as Parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, before seeking a new extended or varied lease, leaseholders should seek legal advice and seek to come to agreements with landlords to apply the same protections as contractual terms.’ “Though this revision to the guidance note is helpful, it simply acknowledges that there is now a significant lacuna for anyone with a qualifying lease with BSA protection who wants to extend this. Whilst most leases in affected properties will be ‘long’ leaseholders they may also face issues with ground rents / RPI reviews that they would normally wish to address by a statutory renewal of the lease. The current situation means that this cannot be done without losing the qualifying leaseholder protection.” “As the updated guidance note acknowledges, the Government now needs to address the deficiencies in the current wording of the Building Safety Act legislation to clarify the definition of a ‘qualifying lease’.” He continues: “Whilst the policy objective and overarching goal for leasehold reform has been to make the process ‘simpler, quicker and cheaper for leaseholders,’ the definition of ‘qualifying lease’ contained in Section 119 of the BSA fails on all three counts. “It has not made the process simpler because the issue of whether the new lease is protected under the Act has been made far more complex. It has not made the process quicker, because the uncertainty caused gives rise to a whole area of specialist enquiry to be undertaken before a claim can be made. “And it has not made the process cheaper, both because it raises the question of whether the removal of protected status gives rise to any valuation issues, and because the extra work involved necessarily incurs additional professional fees. “I cannot believe that it was the Government’s intention to create doubt and uncertainty. However, if the goal is to ensure that a new lease granted under the 1993 Act can be a ‘qualifying lease’, then the absence of any express provision to that effect in the Building Safety Act is surprising and confusing. “The Government urgently needs to resolve this problem, and as they now acknowledge a simple amendment to the legislation is required to make it clear that statutory and other renewals of leases will not lose qualifying leaseholder protection. I hope the Government will move swiftly to rectify this problem, which will provide far greater certainty to leaseholders and the professionals advising them.” For more information please visit https://www.alep.org.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Investment in infrastructure is a key growth priority for many European governments, but how can this be reconciled with the current skills crisis facing the construction sector? According to the latest EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses, 38 per cent of European countries who ranked building construction labourer shortages noted the issue as ‘high magnitude’[1]. A combination of macroeconomic influences ranging from an aging workforce preparing to retire, to labour market shifts caused by Brexit and war in Ukraine are all having an impact on skilled worker availability in Europe. This is further complicated by retraining needs caused by continuous advancements in sector technology, tools and products which begs the question – how can we better future-proof the construction workforce? Skills and competence are critical for the future of the construction industry, and various factors have accelerated the sector’s skills shortage to a crisis point. There is no silver bullet when it comes to tackling the skills crisis within the construction industry, particularly given the number of external forces at play. However, if we want to meet growing construction demand then we must grow the available workforce to make this a reality – creating an imperative for companies to incentivize and invest in diversifying the skillset of their current workforce rather than relying solely on technology. Through Victaulic’s work and customer engagement, we have identified and responded to the need for more specialised and accredited training programs in both a hands-on and virtual format to facilitate greater upskilling. Whilst seemingly obvious, such programs have been scarce since the Covid-19 pandemic with existing staff unable to refine their skills with new technologies and entrants losing out on the opportunity to formally learn the basics with new tools and products. By bridging the training gap, construction professionals across all sectors and experience-levels can gain greater confidence in their proficiency, whilst companies receive the critical assurances that their projects are up to code. This is particularly the case for the fire protection industry. As an industry which is constantly evolving and premised on the delivery of safe and efficient fire protection systems, it is crucial that training is both readily available and regularly updated to ensure that engineers and contractors have the requisite knowledge for their reliable installation and comply with regulations. At a broader scale, investing in training is also crucial for a company’s reputation building. Comprehensive training ensures industry professionals are getting the most from every application, whilst upholding and protecting standards. Victaulic’s increase in customer demand for training is a testament to this, with a recent in-person fire protection workshop attracting nearly 100 participants. With an age range of between 17-65+ and job titles spanning construction managers, design managers and subcontractors – there is a clear desire from customers and their employees to upskill and refresh their knowledge through in-person training. The workshop with construction engineering company, Mercury, provided an introduction to Victaulic fire protection products such as the VicFlexTM Flexible Sprinkler Fittings series and FirelockTM couplings, their applications in fire protection systems, and requirements for maintenance in accordance with applicable codes and standards. The value of this in-person training at their facility in Ireland could not be overstated, with Mercury implementing the bespoke demo rig at their facility to enable regular refreshers for their employees. The training did not stop there, with additional e-learning services provided through our Victaulic University platform. What was historically a portal used exclusively by our internal teams, Victaulic University training has become a mainstay for e-learning for our clients. One of the key benefits of our e-learning training is that is offers a range of options to suit different levels of expertise. For instance, beginner-level fire protection training covers the basics of fire protection system design and installation, whilst advance courses delve into the details of system testing and maintenance. Additionally, participants can work through the training programs at their own pace, providing the flexibility to manage their workloads while still acquiring essential skills. For the Mercury training alone, we saw 80 participants join online for 20 hours’ worth of training prior to the hands on workshop. With every worker who completes our training receiving a certification, our courses not only support with our customer’s credibility within the fire protection industry but also grant assurance that they have been equipped with the knowledge to properly install our products. Ciaran Carrick, Operations Manager, Mercury: “Given the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic, training for our employees has been scarce. This was why we were so appreciative of the practical in-person Fire Protection Customer Training provided by Victaulic – giving us an opportunity to see first-hand how the Victaulic valve-sets work and refresh our skills with the on-site demo rig.” “The Victaulic experts provided our 80+ team with comprehensive product knowledge and technical detail which will help us better deliver fire protection systems for our clients.” Whilst upskilling cannot entirely remedy the skills crisis that Europe is currently facing, what is clear is that there are simple, cost effective means to attract and retain a greater body of talent already at our fingertips. Training is only one piece of the puzzle, but the reputational benefits offered at a company level along with the empowerment derived at an employee level are vital steppingstones to future-proofing the construction industry. [1] https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2023-03/eures-labour-shortages-report-2022.pdf Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the largest dedicated exhibition of its kind, OFFSITE EXPO is leading the way in promoting the technologies that are transforming the built environment – and the show is getting bigger for 2023. Targeting 4,000 plus visitors, OFFSITE EXPO will be taking place on 19 – 20 September 2023 at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Providing the ideal setting for exhibitors, this centrally located venue with ample free parking and a hotel on site, is within two hours’ drive of 75% of the UK’s population. Maximise Offsite Exposure “This will be our third year at OFFSITE EXPO, and we keep coming back as we get such a good response,” said Paul Cashman, BDM from British Offsite. “We find the organisation in terms of logistics and installing our feature builds is absolutely superb. This event provides access to potential clients from all over Europe. Last year we met developers, architects, designers and housing associations – so it is excellent exposure to the wider offsite world.” Come September the arena will be totally transformed. Two-storey feature builds and full size modules will rise above the exhibition floor alongside an array of panelised light steel frame, precast and timber structures together with pod and prefabricated MEP solutions from leading UK and international offsite manufacturers. Pioneering technology forms a major part of the event. Presenting promotional opportunities to align your latest innovations with a highly targeted and receptive audience, OFFSITE EXPO is also the preferred exhibition platform for those involved in augmented and virtual reality together with the latest digital design and construction technologies. Offsite Connect Buyers & Specifiers Forum Exhibiting companies will have an exclusive opportunity to participate in the unique Offsite Connect Buyers & Specifiers Forum. Offering major business development prospects, those with the ‘power to procure products and systems’ will gather in the forum and exhibitors will be able to book one-to-one meetings with major contractors, developers, architects, specifiers and purchasing managers. Leading the Debate The OFFSITE EXPO Masterclass Theatre will feature presentations and panel debates focusing on the technologies that redefine the way buildings are designed and constructed. In partnership with the Offsite Alliance, the Spotlight on Offsite Theatre is the place to gain valuable insight and get to grips with emerging trends from a host of industry pioneers who are leading the debate in the offsite arena. Promote Your Presence Exhibitors are advised to secure stand space early in 2023 to maximise the promotional opportunities that the extensive PR and marketing campaign surrounding OFFSITE EXPO brings. Enhance your company profile through pre and post event brand placement, advertising, digital marketing, social media, speaker opportunities and much more. Buyers taking part in the Offsite Connect Forum will be announced in July and the diary will be opened the following month to allow exhibitors exclusive access to book meetings with those who have a procurement remit. OFFSITE EXPO has a range of exhibition and sponsorship packages available. These have been designed to be flexible and offer a wide range of promotional opportunities to suit any marketing aims, resources and budgets. To find out more go to: www.offsite-expo.co.uk/exhibit Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposed planning fee increases could help local planning services address capacity, recruitment, and performance challenges, which the RTPI says threaten the Government’s goals to boost home ownership and level up. However, these increases may not come soon enough for councils with scheduled staffing cuts, according to Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) evidence released today. Heads of planning services within the RTPI’s consultation response believe the fee increase coming in 2024 to be too late. Some councils have already scheduled staffing cuts for the 2023-24 financial year. The RTPI states that a 35% fee increase for major applications and a 25% increase for all other applications would constitute an above-inflation rise. RTPI members expect these increases to help local planning services overcome capacity, recruitment and performance challenges. To avoid future financial cliff edges, the RTPI has urged the Government to safeguard these potential gains by annually adjusting fees in line with inflation and allowing councils to “ring fence” this additional income for planning service provision. Richard Blyth, Head of Policy Practice and Research at the RTPI said, “Our members have previously warned that capacity, recruitment and performance are threats to the government’s ambitions to strengthen our plan-led system, boost home ownership and level up. We believe that increased planning fees will provide crucial assistance to local planning authorities in urgent need of support. “However, while increased fees are an important first step, we do not see them as a silver bullet to meeting the capacity requirements. We’ve also encouraged Government to address the fundamental questions on how our planning system will ensure good – not just fast – decisions in the public interest. “Proposals to collect better data on local planning authority performance in England are a positive step. The RTPI will continue to advise Government on how improvements in ‘customer experience’ should help the entire community, not just developers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commercial buildings need to serve a range of different purposes. They must be commercially viable and act as attractive spaces for clients and customers, they must be practical and allow staff to carry out their work properly, and they must be safe to protect all occupants. To address these varied and disparate needs, there is a range of technological solutions that building owners must be aware of. Things like window openers and smart tech are becoming increasingly commonplace in commercial buildings and can offer a number of benefits. We’ve listed five of the most important technologies for commercial buildings below. Read on to check them out. Electric Window Openers Electric window openers are fully automated windows that can offer commercial building openers a range of incredible benefits. The windows can be set to timers and programmed to open and close depending on the time, temperature, or the weather. This solution can save time and eliminates the risk of leaving a window open overnight. What’s more, electric windows can be operated remotely. This makes them perfect for windows in hard-to-access places, where reaching to the open window can be difficult or even dangerous. Smart Lighting As the owner of a commercial space, cost saving is no doubt one of your top priorities. As energy bills skyrocket, conserving energy expenditure has become absolutely essential. Smart lights can be set to timers to ensure they only come when needed, or they can be programmed to detect motion. Both of these options can see you make incredible savings and cut your energy consumption considerably. Touchless Controls Commercial buildings are often densely populated places with hundreds of different people interacting and working together. What this means is that bugs and illnesses can spread quickly, which can have a serious impact on business if large portions of the workforce are affected. Touchless controls such as toilet flushes and bathroom taps can effectively limit the spread of harmful bacteria. They make for a cleaner and more sterile environment that will keep your staff and customers safe. Smart Locks Commercial buildings are often used to house expensive equipment or sums of cash. This makes them an attractive target for thieves and criminals, which means commercial building security is a top priority. Traditional locks can be vulnerable and are often a weak point in a building’s security system. What’s more, traditional locks invite human error. All it takes is for someone to leave the door unlocked and thieves have an immediate entry point. Smart locks can be operated remotely to ensure this doesn’t happen. In addition, they can be unlocked using unique biometric data such as a fingerprint to give your commercial building extra security. Pest Management Systems Pests are the scourge of commercial buildings. Not only can they cause damage and spread disease, but their presence can also see you violate health and hygiene laws and could see you face financial penalties. Pest management systems automate the process of pest control and use humane methods. Rather than poisons, these systems can release pheromones and use sound to deter pests whenever they are detected. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING social value experts at Loop are today launching a survey for the construction market, which aims to identify where the wider industry sits on social value, and where things can be improved. When analysed, the results will reveal how much organisations are focusing on social value, how they are approaching it now, and how it integrates with procurement and tender processes. The survey will also delve into individual mindset, gaining an insight into how social value impacts people’s day-to-day job roles – and how knowledgeable and prepared they feel for working in this realm. A crucial question will also examine the figures attached to social value measurement, and whether monetised values are important – and crucially if they are at risk of overinflation. Angus Townsend, director of social value at Loop, said: “The construction industry is certainly one of the most progressive when it comes to social value and understanding its importance. However, there’s still a long way to go to even the playing field for organisations of all sizes and kinds, and make sure that we’re taking the right approach to social value. “The sheer scale of the built environment means there are people at every stage of the social value journey. What we want to do is see what this looks like on an industry-wide scale and get a picture of understanding and drive for social value, as well as where things can be done better. “Since the Social Value Act was introduced ten years ago, there have been growing developments with numerous pieces of legislation, government procurement policy notes and a big focus on social value in the Construction Playbook. “Momentum is growing significantly, especially as we continue to adapt to a post-pandemic world while tackling the climate crisis. This can even be seen in the volume of Google searches for ‘social value’ for example, which have more than doubled in the past five years. “Our mission is to help organisations understand social value, measure the impacts they have, continually improve and make a real difference to real people. We look forward to seeing the results of this survey – we know they will be incredibly eye opening for us all.” The survey will be open to responses until Friday 26 May, and attendees at the UKREiiF conference in Leeds will be able to submit responses at Loop’s ‘The Future of Social Value’ Pavilion at the Royal Armouries. For more information, please visit https://www.loop.org.uk/ or fill out the survey here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
