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
A digital workspace centralizes all the assets, applications, and data of a company around a technology framework, which also enables employees to work remotely. The world is going digital, and everyone has to evolve with it. Businesses, specifically, have to adapt faster to stay relevant; otherwise, their competition will throw
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 1) identified numerous failings including compromised escape routes and fire doors that did not, through damage and/or disrepair, act in the way that they should to prevent smoke and gases from spreading. As such, the Inquiry recommended (Recommendations 33.29 (a) and (b)) that the owner
A plethora of world-class seminars, CPD sessions and presentations – as well as a newly-created Culture Change Hub – are all in store for visitors heading to UK Construction Week London (UKCW London), which returns to London’s ExCeL from 2nd to 4th May 2023. Organisers of the UK’s largest event
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
A digital workspace centralizes all the assets, applications, and data of a company around a technology framework, which also enables employees to work remotely. The world is going digital, and everyone has to evolve with it. Businesses, specifically, have to adapt faster to stay relevant; otherwise, their competition will throw them out of the industry. You don’t necessarily need to build a large entire resource planning system to digitize your workspace. A simple time tracking software can do almost all of the important tasks with much more efficiency. Before we get to how time tracking software can help digitize your business processes, let’s discuss why digitization altogether is important. Why is Digitization Crucial? Digitization is not a trend; it’s a need. It was introduced and adapted because of its irreplaceable benefits. The change might be a bit expensive at first, but it saves you a lot of money in the long run by reducing operational costs. It improves productivity and efficiency and increases flexibility in your work. Communication becomes much faster, transparent, and secure when you digitize your workspace. This communication is different from chat applications that have no accountability. You will notice that the job has become much easier for each employee, and all the redundant processes have been removed. Implementing tools like project management software or HR management software can transform how your team operates. These systems streamline task management and human resources processes, allowing for more organized and efficient workflows. With everything centralized, it’s easier to track projects and deadlines, manage staff details, and keep everyone on the same page—reducing miscommunication and overlap in tasks. This level of organization not only makes each job easier but also cuts down on time wasted, helping the whole company move forward more smoothly. This increases the performance of each team member, improves their satisfaction and experience, and gets you a higher return on investment. How Time Tracking Software Promotes Digitization? Now, to continue our point, you should know that a single time tracking software can help build a digital workspace. Although it’s just one tool, it will still eliminate several redundant processes and make sure that all employees are able to work productively. It is particularly very helpful when you have employees working remotely. No More Paperwork or Excel Sheets There is usually no need left for writing documents and managing Excel sheets when you have installed time tracking software. With a digital employee timesheet, you can track hours and analyze the performance of everyone on your team. As the timesheets are automatically saved in a central location and easily accessible, it saves you time and reduces the risk of human error. Automated Management and Notification System Only employees authorized with a login ID and password will be able to access your system. You will also be able to see which employees started working on time and who were late. You can set different alert systems that automatically notify your employees when they are not doing something according to standard operating procedure. Furthermore, employees can request time off that you can approve and reject with just a few clicks. Get More Transparency in Processes Time tracking software makes processes more transparent for the employees and the employer. The employee would know if they haven’t completed their productive hours, and the employer can also generate detailed HR reports. Whether the employee was on vacation or working extra hours, everything will be recorded. The employee will also be able to see his transparent payroll process that is calculated automatically according to their hours and work days. To Conclude this Discussion It’s important for every business to digitize its workspace if it wants to stay relevant. You can create a digital workspace with just proper time tracking. If you use the right time tracking software, you will be able to keep the processes transparent, automate several redundancies, and save many hours of work every week. As all the data is automatically stored in a centralized location, it’s much safer from outside threats and from human errors.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 1) identified numerous failings including compromised escape routes and fire doors that did not, through damage and/or disrepair, act in the way that they should to prevent smoke and gases from spreading. As such, the Inquiry recommended (Recommendations 33.29 (a) and (b)) that the owner and manager of every residential building containing separate dwellings carry out an urgent inspection of all fire doors to ensure compliance with current legislative standards and that regular (no less than every three months) checks be carried out to ensure all fire doors are fitted with an effective self-closing device which is in working order. The Inquiry also recommended (Recommendation 33.30) that all those who have responsibility for the condition of the entrance doors to individual flats in high-rise residential buildings (with unsafe cladding) be required by law to ensure these doors comply with current standards. As a direct result, Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 introduces enhanced fire safety regulations. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 were published on 6 December 2022 and came into effect in England from 23 January 2023. The regulations introduced changes with regards to fire doors which have an impact for the Responsible Person. They require responsible persons in multi-occupied residential buildings which are classed as high-rise buildings, (defined in The Fire Safety (England) Regulations as a building at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys), and also those above 11 metres in height in an identical use of multi-occupation residencies where communal areas and escape routes exist, to provide new additional safety measures with regards to the periodic and ongoing inspection of fire resisting doorsets. Quarterly inspectionsIt is now a legal requirement in high-rise buildings and multi-occupied residential buildings more than 11 metres in height to undertake quarterly inspections of fire resisting doorsets (including their self-closing devices) in the common areas, as these doors are subject to considerable use and subsequent failings or damage. This includes (but is not limited to) cross-corridor fire doors, staircase enclosure fire doors, and fire doors of protected lobbies and higher risk rooms such as plant rooms, riser shafts, and storage areas. Annual inspectionsThe new Fire Safety Regulations also state that it is now a legal requirement to carry out annual checks of fire resisting entrance doorsets to apartments or flats on a ‘best endeavours’ basis, with a procedure identical to the above, identifying and recording findings and actioning any remedial works required to return the door to a compliant nature. Information for residentsThe Responsible Person must also now provide residents with information relating to the significance of fire doors to a building’s fire safety, highlighting the importance of not removing or disconnecting self-closing devices, keeping fire doors closed, and immediately reporting any faults or damage to doors. This needs to be documented to ensure all residents are provided with the directive to protect the entire building and its occupants. Residents must receive this information when they move into a multi-occupied residential building, and on an annual basis thereafter. As a fire risk assessor inspecting such premises, there exists a requirement to evidence these practices, to identify failings, and make suitable and sufficient recommendations in the remedy of such failings. Fire risk assessmentsThe Fire Safety Act 2021 also states that ‘the effect of the Act will be to require fire risk assessments of buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises to be updated to take account of doors, if they have not already done so.’ This is detailed in section 9 as affecting ‘all doors between the domestic premises and the common parts (e.g. entrance doors to individual flats which open to common parts).’ This means that the Responsible Person should regularly review the fire risk assessment of their building(s) to ensure compliance, particularly if there is reason to believe it is no longer valid, or if significant change in the matters to which it relates has taken place. If these measures have already been considered within the existing current fire risk assessment, it is not necessary to have another fire risk assessment carried out whilst it remains compliant with this directive. Fire door inspection surveysWhilst a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment typically involves a review of the condition of existing fire doorsets, it is unlikely that it will extensively cover all fire doors and frames so a fire door inspection survey may be required. At the FPA, our fire door inspectors conduct comprehensive, non-destructive fire door surveys and deliver detailed reports on the condition of the entire doorset. Find out more about the FPA’s fire door inspection survey service. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A plethora of world-class seminars, CPD sessions and presentations – as well as a newly-created Culture Change Hub – are all in store for visitors heading to UK Construction Week London (UKCW London), which returns to London’s ExCeL from 2nd to 4th May 2023. Organisers of the UK’s largest event for the built environment have announced that the packed programme of seminars will focus on a myriad of important industry topics, complemented by 150 hours of dedicated CPD opportunities over the three-day show. Themes up for debate and discussion across the show’s seven dedicated stages include: Net Zero; business and innovation; building safety and regulation; mental health and wellbeing; quality control; digitalisation in the industry; women in construction; developments in timber and concrete; supply chain and procurement; updates on major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and more! The line-up of speakers for this year’s education programme feature industry leaders from Building People, BuildOffsite, Offsite Alliance, HS2 Ltd, BSI, Future Homes Hub, Federation of Master Builders, Waterman Group, CEMEX UK, The Building Safety Regulator, Women in Property, Miller Homes, Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and the UK Government. UKCW London 2023 has an even stronger emphasis on future development in the industry, with the continued theme of Celebrating Culture Change in Construction present in all elements of the show. The organisers have also announced a dedicated Culture Change Hub that will deliver daily programmes by The National Federation of Builders, Building People and The Women in Construction Awards, on topics that focus on improving inclusivity within the built environment, wellbeing and mental health, and professional development. Rebecca Lovelace, Founder at Building People said: “Building People’s involvement at UKCW each year is a huge part of our calendar. We’re taking over the Culture Hub to deliver ‘how to’ expertise in cultural inclusion, in building diverse teams and in embedding equity, diversity and inclusion actions into meaningful procurement. UKCW is a fantastic opportunity to meet the organisations in our network that have the reach into the under-represented groups our sector needs, and we absolutely look forward to bringing people, needs and opportunities – and driving change – together at UKCW.” Michaela Wain, Managing Director at Design and Build UK, said: “Design and Build UK are so excited to be taking over the culture hub stage talking to industry experts about all topics around EDIB in construction. We do not focus on the people within our industry enough, we jump through hoops for all kinds of regulations but no one is regulating our people. It’s time we started talking about how we can improve the lives and careers of everyone in construction. How we can plug the skill gap, where we should look for new talent, how to up-skill and attract people with transferable skills and hear from the people who are working on site everyday. UKCW has given us a space to discuss not just the problems the industry has but the solutions which have been tried and tested and need to be rolled out. Anyone in construction should check out the panels we have on throughout the day, everyone will learn something.” UKCW London is expecting around 25,000 attendees and is co-located with Concrete Expo, The Offsite Show as well as the UK’s premier event for the self-build sector, Grand Designs Live. It is the must-attend construction event with over 10,000 products on display from over 300 exciting exhibitors from as far afield as Australia, China, India, Norway, Turkey and the UAE. Visitors will be able to find sections dedicated to Digital Construction, Infrastructure, Offsite, Surfaces, Net Zero including Renewables, HVAC, Energy Management; Build Show including Roofing, Cladding and Insulation; Tools; Health & Safety; Fire Prevention; Future Lab; and a Careers Trail. Register for UKCW London for free at ukcw-london-2023.reg.buzz/cab-campaign-pr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals